ATLANTA –Tensions ran high at the first Montmorency County Board of Commissioners meeting of the year, where commissioners ultimately decided to eliminate health care for retirees once they become eligible for Medicare at age 65.

The decision affects retirees from the county Sheriff’s Department, many of whom pleaded with commissioners not to end their health care coverage.

The current health insurance plan was originally set to expire on Feb. 1, but commissioners extended the coverage to March 1 because of mediation with the Police Officers Association of Michigan, the union representing deputies, on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the board voted unanimously to extend health care coverage for existing employees until March 1 and approved a 25-cents-per-hour wage increase for part-time employees, effective Jan. 1.

County board Vice Chairman Daryl Peterson said Montmorency County is one of the few counties paying health care for its retirees.

Commissioner Gary Girardin cast the lone dissenting vote, while Chairman Bert LaFleche, Vice Chairman Daryl Peterson, and Commissioner Dave Wagner voted to eliminate the health care plan. Commissioner Don Edwards abstained from voting because of a conflict of interest. Edwards is the county’s former sheriff and receives retirement benefits from the county.

County commissioners have previously expressed concerns the county operates under a tight budget, but Sheriff Chad Brown challenged that claim. He said, for example, the Sheriff’s Department has been down an officer for six months, which amounts to a $30,000 savings.

“You’re taking away something that you have the ability to pay for,” Brown said. “I’m sorry — we have the ability to cover that expense, and you’re taking it away from individuals that dedicated and gave services to this county.”

Deb Allen, a former dispatcher with the Sheriff’s Department, said health insurance was promised to employees all the years they worked in a contract. Allen said every retiree attending the meeting made concessions so they could keep their insurance and their retirement.

“Every one of the people sitting here put their life into that Sheriff’s Department,” Allen said. “We worked holidays, weekends, overtime — I just can’t understand when the sheriff is telling you there’s money to cover it and you’re just sitting at us looking like, ‘Tough luck.’ That’s how I feel.”

Peterson said those agreements were made 15 years ago.

“Times have changed, unfortunately,” he told Allen.

Girardin said he has served on the board for one year and it seems like, at every meeting, commissioners discuss what they can take away from county employees.

“I think it’s time that we quit taking away from the county employees, and look at things that we can do to make it better for these employees,” he said, adding retirees gave their lives and time to serve the county and deserve the things they thought they were going to get.

Bud Shaw, a retired deputy, thanked Girardin for his support and expressed his disappointment in LaFleche, Peterson, and Wagner. Shaw said LaFleche served on the boards when many of those contracts were originally approved.

“I hope you all will reconsider things as we move forward,” he said.

Tim McDonald, who represents deputies in the Police Officers Association of Michigan, told commissioners their decision is “setting the scope” for everybody who has retired and for all the retirees yet to come. He said health care was one of the reasons they came to work for the county.

“As the union rep, we will back the retirees as far as we can, and I’ve already talked to them about what we can do, just to let you know,” McDonald said. “So, see you Tuesday at negotiations.”

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.