Butler County is reducing a 2017 increase in health care costs for employees from 9 percent to 5 percent by instituting a health reimbursement account with Highmark.

The county commissioners Wednesday approved the change, which lowers next year’s premium from $8.3 million to $7.3 million.

By switching to an HRA — a self-funded, health benefit plan that reimburses employees for out-of-pocket medical expenses — the county reduces the hike by $290,204.

The county’s share of the total health care cost drops from $7.7 million to $7.4 million.

Scott Andrejchak, chief county clerk, explained the county will set aside $660,000 in HRA deductible funding for employees’ health care expenses that exceed their deductibles, which rose in exchange for a lower premium.

The deductibles increase from $250 for individuals and $500 for families to $1,500 for individuals and $3,000 for families.

Andrejchak said since the workers’ health benefit contribution is affected by the premium, they also will pay less money.

The employees’ share is lowered from $626,361 to $550,000.

Andrejchak said in an interview the HRA amount was based on past use with a buffer added.

For 2016, the premium is $7.7 million with workers’ share estimated at $575,000, leaving the county’s expense at about $7 million.

Naloxone policy

The commissioners also adopted a naloxone policy for county staff.

Under the policy, all staff must complete training on how to administer naloxone nasally to people suffering from a drug overdose in county buildings.

Naloxone is a medication that reverses the effects of an overdose caused by an opioid drug such as prescription pain medicine or heroin.

Commissioner Kevin Boozel said Butler could not find another county with such a policy, so others would likely be basing theirs on this one.

The commissioners also approved a contract with Syntrio of San Francisco for an online training course. The rate would not exceed $3,000.

Feasibility study

The commissioners awarded a $19,470 contract to Herbert, Rowland & Grubic of Cranberry Township to conduct a feasibility assessment of a county infrastructure bank program.

The purpose of such a program is meant to aid municipalities in improving their infrastructures.

According to the HRG proposal, it will determine the demand for a county infrastructure bank and a list of potential projects.

A portion of the county’s natural gas drilling impact fee money would be used to offer grants and reduce loan interest rates to fund municipal projects.

Hotel tax

The commissioners approved an agreement with Airbnb for the online lodging service to collect the 5 percent hotel tax from its clients.

The company is not charging the county for the service.

County officials maintain the agreement prevents smaller rental businesses, which may not even be aware of the tax, from slipping through the cracks.

VOICe security

The commissioners awarded a $15,596 contract to Guardian Protection Services to replace eight cameras at the Victim Outreach Intervention Center’s Cranberry Township facility. The upgraded cameras and installation are funded by a 2015 Emergency Solutions Grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development. The only other bid was $18,411.