The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District commissioners got word that employee insurance premiums won’t be going up, giving the district a $20,000 budget savings.

Sharon Dangles, superintendent of finance and administration, informed commissioners at the Tuesday, Aug. 18, meeting she had budgeted for a $20,000 increase in its insurance line item. The initial discussion with Blue Cross reflected a 10 percent increase of $68,600. 

The park district sought bids from other insurance companies. Each came in lower than the Blue Cross bid.

Dangles said at that point, the Blue Cross representative notified her that the company would not be increasing its rates.

Commissioners were delighted to hear about the savings and voted to approve the Blue Cross offer. The insurance plan covers 42 employees. Dangles said the employees pay 5 percent for individual coverage and 20 percent for family coverage premiums.

This contract with Blue Cross/Blue Shield will be $658,200 covering a period from Oct. 1, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2021.