Thomas County Employee Benefits System

Mission

The Board of Commissioners will provide quality benefit programs and services to its valued employees. The Board of Commissioners realizes the needs of their employees and answers those needs. To receive further information concerning benefits call or come by the Thomas County Commissioners Office at 116 West Jefferson Street. 229/225-4100 or E-mail Jessie Winkelmann at jessie.winkelmann@thomascountyga.gov.

Employee Assistance Program

The Board of Commissioners offers an Employee Assistance Program at no cost to the employees and their immediate family. Completely confidential! Get help before it is a problem. Employee Assistance Program

Health Care Plan

The health care benefit plan for employees is a comprehensive major medical program utilizing a PPO network of physicians and hospitals. It is designed to minimize out-of-pocket medical expenses for employees and their covered dependents. Coverage is provided at minimal cost to the individual employee. Dependent coverage is an option available at our group rates. Thomas County employees are eligible for benefits after ninety (90) days of regular full-time employment (unless expressly stated otherwise under the description of the benefit). Open enrollment is January 1 annually. Changes in coverage can be submitted as early as October.

There is a $2,500 deductible in the plan and the policy pays 80% of approved medical bills. When your individual eligible expenses reach the annual out-of-pocket co-insurance maximum of $5,000, not including the deductible, the plan pays 100% of approved claims. Under the Wellness Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan employees are eligible to receive $500 reimbursement, maximum $2,000, toward their health plan deductible exepenses, after meeting certain criteria.

Prescription drugs are purchased with a drug card utilizing a 3-tier system and a $100 deductible. All generic drug at no charge and no deductible. CVS/Pharmacare

Dental Plan

Thomas County's Dental Insurance is an optional contributory coverage designed to reduce the costs with regular dental care. The plan pays 100% of approved costs for periodic exams and cleanings; and 50-80% of other procedures based on the type of procedure, after a $100 annual deductible is met. There is a $1,000 annual maximum benefit for covered expenses.

Vision

Thomas County's Vision Insurance is coverage designed to provide coverage for the employee to receive annual eye examinations have annual updates on corrective lens. The plan pays approved costs for exams and contacts, and lens. Frames are also covered, with a 2-year waiting provision. There is a $200 annual maximum benefit for covered expenses.

Life Insurance and AD&D Insurance

Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Standard Life Insurance Company, is furnished at no cost to employees covered in the health insurance program in an amount $15,000. Life Insurance is a benefit paid in event of an employee's death by illness, accident, or natural causes. Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance pays the employee's beneficiary, or estate for the accidentally lose a limb or death in an accident. An employee may purchase additional individual and dependent life insurance coverage up to $50,000 at minimal cost.

All employees are eligible to purchase additional term life insurance at the reduced group rates with timely enrollments.

Thomas County contracts with a local company to process and pay health, dental and vision claims and to administer the life insurance program. If you have a question about coverage or claims, please call them, 229/225-9943. Contact information is also listed on their web site, Taylor Benefit Resources

Annual Employee Health Care

In October of each year, October 16-18, 2018, Thomas County joins with Archbold Memorial Hospital to provide all county employees a general health screening. It is our belief that early detection and treatment lessens the outcome of any potentially serious illnesses. All of this is done at no cost to the employee. Many employees give the results of their testing to their private physician to include in their medical file.

Thomas County Retirement Programs

Pension Plan, Defined Benefit

The Thomas County Pension Plan is designed to provide a monthly retirement income in addition to other retirement savings plans and Social Security, which an employee may be eligible to receive. Employees are entitled to participate in the plan on January 1 after completion of three years of continuous service. An employee is vested in the plan after completing five (5) years of credited service. Normal retirement age is 65 with at least 10 years service. Employees would be eligible for early retirement benefits at age 62 with 10 years service. There are provisions for pre-retirement death benefits.

The amount of an employee’s retirement is based on four factors: (1) total years of credited service; (2) final average earnings; (3) age at retirement; (4) benefit formula. Your retirement benefit will be paid to you each month for as long as you live, depending of the option you choose When an employee nears his/her anticipated retirement date, the Personnel Department Benefits Section will provide calculations and details of benefit payment options available.

Defered Compensation

Deferred Compensation, under IRS Code 457, is a tax deferred supplemental retirement program that allows public employees to contribute a portion of their salary, before federal and state taxes, to a retirement account. The government's aim in establishing these tax-favored plans is to encourage workers to build their own financial security in anticipation of retirement. Thomas County employees are eligible to enroll in the Deferred Compensation Plans after 30 days of employment. Please contact the Benefit Section for further details.

Credit Union

Employees are eligible to join Envision Credit Union on the first day of employment. The Credit Union offers a variety of services to members including checking and savings accounts and personal loans. To enroll, contact the Credit Union directly at 229/228-9826.

Sick Leave

Sick Leave is paid time off work due to employee illness or the illness of a member of an employee's immediate family. Leave may be used after six months of service. Regular full-time employees earn hours each pay-period according to their length of service.

Annual Leave

Annual Leave is paid time off for vacations and other personal use. Full-time regular employees begin earning vacation time as soon as they begin working for Thomas County, and are normally eligible to use accrued time following the completion of six months employment. Regular full-time employees earn hours each pay-period according to their length of service.

Paid Holidays

Thomas County observes nine (8) paid holidays each year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Since holidays occasionally fall on weekends, the approved/adjusted annual holiday list can be found on the Calendar.

Health and Fitness

Factor X Fitness offers Thomas County employees a corporate deal on memberships. Dues are paid through payroll deductions for your benefit. Annual enrollment is December 31 and rates and conditions are available by calling Human Resources at 229/225-4100.

Group discount rates are available thru payroll deduction for employees who want to join the YMCA. Annual enrollment is February and the rates are available by calling Human Resources at 229/225-4100.