2 orange spiel - Orange County Gov FL

OrangeSpiel
EDITOR
Judi Kerr
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Gale Erwin
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Administrative Services
Pamela Baumbach
Convention Center
Gwen Wilson
Corrections
Allen Moore
County Administration
Michelle Frank
Family Services
Mimi Reggentin
Fire Rescue
Lt. John Westmoreland
Growth Management
Marie King
Health Services
Randy Lewis
Human Resources
Sally Lassalle
Information Systems & Services
Rachel Irizarry
Office of Emergency Management
Cherie Boyce
Orange TV
Matt Juvinall
Parks & Recreation
Amanda Kimmer
Public Safety Communications
Linda Richard
Public Works
Ralphetta Aker
Purchasing & Contracts
Joe Benjamin
Utilities
Tracy Newsome
Wellness
Erlene Cavalere
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Mike Davies
Chris DeJesus
Judi Kerr
ADMINISTRATIVE ADVISORS
Kelly Kwas
Steve Triggs
The Orange Spiel is a bimonthly publication for Orange
County’s employees. Opinions expressed are those of the
writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the
editorial staff or Orange County Government. For more
information or to submit an article for consideration,
contact your department contributing editor. Send
letters to: Orange Spiel Editor, Communications Division,
201 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando, FL 32801 or email Judi.
Kerr@ocfl.net. We reserve the right to edit submissions
for length and clarity.
2 ORANGE SPIEL • August - September 2011
Mayor’s Letter
Dear County Employee,
When I met with many of you, shortly after I was elected Mayor, one of the
things you expressed to me was your frustration with our current healthcare
plan. Although I understand why the County had to make adjustments to our
previous healthcare plan due to skyrocketing costs, the increased costs of the
new high deductible plan were more than what many families could afford.
I became very concerned when I learned that some employees were skipping
necessary medical care because of steep out-of-pocket costs. This is not only a
serious health concern; it can also be a major financial problem for the County
and our taxpayers because the cost of treating a serious illness is far greater
than prevention or early intervention.
Consequently, I have been working with staff to strike a better balance
between health coverage that is financially sustainable for the County, yet
still affordable for you. The result is, next year, you will have two options
from which to choose to best suit your needs. I am also proposing a onetime
$1,200 health care supplement for all employees of the County and the
constitutional officers.
I want you to know that when you spoke, I listened, and we took action. Today,
I am much more confident you’ll be able to choose an affordable health care
solution that works for you and your family. Please review the information on
Pages 16 and 17 concerning the changes to the plan.
Classes for Orange County Public Schools resume on August 22nd. Be sure
to drive carefully, obey school bus laws and watch out for children walking
to school. For a list of family activities taking place over the next couple of
months, check out our calendar on page 23.
As always, thanks for all you do.
Teresa Jacobs
Orange County Mayor