TREND (Thinking Retired Employees Need Direction) Retired Employees of Kern County Volume XXVII November-December 2003 www.reokc.org David Merritt, President (661) 589-9119 Joe Porter, Editor (661) 872-4299 Additional work is being done on plan development and we look for a more formal plan document at the March 2004 conference in Visalia. David Merritt, President The nominating committee will present their report at the November meeting. Nominations from the floor are in order at this meeting. That s the good news! We just returned from the CRCEA Fall Conference in Santa Rosa. Over 75% of the conference dealt with health insurance problems and changes. By the time you get this TREND you should be aware that Kern County has terminated Blue Cross for the active employees and those retirees under 65 who utilize the active medical plan. Another management firm will be taking over, and the County is making a large effort to make the transition a smooth one. Things happen so fast anymore that keeping up is hard to do if you only read the newsletter every two months. Remember that we have a web site (reokc.org) and we try to get important information posted as quickly as we can. Two years ago I spoke to CRCEA about developing a medical plan that was: affordable, portable, and had some element of choice. We saw the first presentation of it in Santa Rosa. Is it perfect probably not; will everyone like it probably not; is it affordable we don t quite know yet; will it have Rx coverage yes; is it portable yes; will Kern County offer it as an alternative we don t know yet. How about those apples! We met with the CAO s office after returning from the conference and discussed the preliminary presentation of the medical plan sponsored by CRCEA for all the 1937 Act counties. You should have all received your health benefit information packages in the mail. The Health Fair is being scheduled so watch for the dates. This is important particularly if you are thinking about changing providers. Read it carefully. The historical changes in the cost for our wide variety of medical coverage is going to be on the web site shortly. Interesting reading! All I can say is get involved. We need help at the meetings, on the board, committees, etc. It is your association and these are your benefits but it takes a lot of work to keep it all going. I m sorry if some of you are confused by the payroll withholding for luncheon tickets. The only way we could legally do it was to show the $4.00 per month luncheon deduction was as additional dues and it shows up on your check stub as REOKC2. Membership dues are still just $1.00 per month and they show up as REOKC on the check stub. Your Retirement Board By John J. De Mario Your Board of Retirement continued to meet the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, with the second Wednesday of the month as the Investment Board Meeting date, and the fourth Wednesday of the month as the regular Board Meeting date. Cont. on page 6...Your Retirement Board 1
Host/Hostess Program During the month of August, 30 volunteers worked 92 hours assisting 1,131 visitors. During the month of September, 33 volunteers worked 101 hours assisting 1,486 visitors to the County Administrative Building. To those retirees who volunteer their time, THANK YOU Host/Hostess volunteers are needed for 3 to 6 hours a month at the County Administrative Building information booth. If you would like to volunteer contact Allan Choy at 832-2245. Thank You Kern County Fair Volunteers The REOKC membership would like to thank the following volunteers for their work during the 2003 Kern County Fair. The volunteers worked many hours, and in exchange for their work, REOKC will receive free use of Harvest Hall at the Kern County fairgrounds for the Christmas luncheon. (Normal cost for the use of the Hall is approximately $3,000.) The volunteers will receive free Christmas Luncheon tickets Ola Langley Thelma Chanley DeVearl Forrest Georgia Morgan Kathy Ervin Erma Willey Juanita Brown Dolores Christian Jerry Dodd Helen Dodd Lois Maujer Doris Williams Bob Edwards Alan Choy Ginger Mello Charles Mello Opal Hargis Norma Morgan Blue O Connor Wesley Cook Grace Cook Clara Bishop Janet Norton Lois Gastineau Eleanor Wells Doris Smith Alice Monaghan Jim Monaghan Elaine Ezell Vivian Kuhn Mary Bibb Ruth Keller Clyde Keller Cherlyn Sparks Walter Stewart Ken Berkshire Ann Farrell Belva Jared Ruth Northway Ann Slack Dutler Dauwalder Lorraine Dauwalder Application for Membership in REOKC And Authorization for Deduction of Dues I receive a retirement and/or survivor s allowance from Kern County. I hereby authorize the Kern County Employees Retirement Association to deduct from my monthly retirement benefits, dues of one-dollar ($1.00) per month for my membership in REOKC, and to pay such deductions monthly to that organization. Name (print) Address City State Zip Telephone ( ) SSN Signature Date PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 8, 2003 Contact: Kathleen Kress Court Projects Analyst (661) 868-2602 Kathleenkress@co.kern.ca.us VOLUNTEER DOCENTS NEEDED BY SUPERIOR COURT Volunteer docents are needed at Kern County Superior court. Docents provide assistance in making the courts more user friendly to the public by explaining court calendars, providing directions and answering questions. Docents are scheduled for three-hour shifts, and are stationed at 1215 and 1415 Truxtun Avenue in downtown Bakersfield. This volunteer opportunity requires patience; the ability to listen; the ability to read and understand legal documents; and willingness to help others. Training about court operations is provided. Please contact the Kern County Superior Court at (661) 868-2602 for more information. A routine felony background check is required. 2
COMING EVENTS *** Nov. 11 REOKC meeting 10:00 a.m. Wilson Road Vets Hall Nov. 12 KCERA 8:00 a.m. County Admin. Bldg. Nov. 27 Dec. 9 Thanksgiving Day *** REOKC Christmas luncheon Noon Kern County Fairgrounds Dec. 10 KCERA 8:00 a.m. County Admin Bldg. Dec. 25 Christmas Day TAXBITES FEELING GENEROUS??? President George W. Bush signed a sweeping tax cut bill (The Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 JGTRRA) into law on May 28th, 2003. One of the temporary benefits for married couples is the increase of the standard deduction to twice that of a single taxpayer, but only for tax years 2003 and 2004. In 2005 the standard deduction for married couples reverts back to less than double that of a single tax payer. Those couples who give to charity and usually take the standard deduction or who itemize and barely exceed the standard deduction limit have a unique opportunity to maximize your tax savings. Consider tripling up on your charitable giving in 2005, when the standard deduction for married couples decreases and makes itemizing potentially more beneficial. For example, if you normally give $2500 per year to charities, give $7500 in 2005 instead of $2500 in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Shifting as many itemized deductions as possible from 2003 to 2005 and 2004 to 2005 (charitable gifts, property taxes, state taxes, mortgage interest are common items) could enhance this one time, two year benefit for married taxpayers, if you take the standard deduction in 2003 and 2004, and itemize in 2005. Of course, the facts and circumstances of each taxpayer will determine the best use of this strategy. Thomas P. McCarthy, Jr., CPA, MST 3 TREASURERS REPORT For the month ending September 30, 2003 Submitted by Doris Williams, Treas. Revenues: Dues $3,043.00 Luncheon tickets 363.00 KFCU reimbursement.00 Contributions 27.00 Interest earned 60.75 Other.00 Total revenues $3,493.75 Expenditures Admin Postage $ 9.00 Luncheon & mtg. Exp 689.94 CRCEA Dues & Exp 180.00 Memorials/Gifts 10.00 Office supplies.00 Special acct-website.00 Stipends: Luncheon Admin 75.00 Programs.00 Treasurer 175.00 TREND editor 100.00 TREND postage cost 4,025.00 TREND printing cost 1,426.43 Other-filing fees 20.00 Total expenditures $2,685.37 Net Income +$ 808.38 Summary of cash position Cash in bank August 31, 2003 $57,891.68 Net income from current period 808.38 Cash in bank at July 31, 2003 $58,700.06 Actual cash in bank at September 30, 2003 Checking account $ 1,314.13 Savings account 2,152.67 Special account 43,011.55 Money market 12,221.71 Total $58,700.06
November Luncheon Reservation November 4, 2003 at Noon, Southwest Veterans Hall, 1095 Wilson Road. If you wish, you may use this form to order tickets for this luncheon. Please send your check, made payable to REOKC, together with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Doris Smith, 2500 Drake, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Deadline for reservations is the Wednesday prior to the luncheon. Phone reservations are not accepted. You may cancel your reservations by calling Doris at 321-9344 prior to the deadline. Cancellations after the deadline cannot be refunded. Member s name ($5.00) Spouse ($5.00) Guest ($7.00) Total tickets Amount enclosed $ December Christmas Luncheon Reservation December 9, 2003 at Noon, Kern County Fairgrounds, Harvest Hall. If you wish, you may use this form to order tickets for this luncheon. Please send your check, made payable to REOKC, together with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Doris Smith, 2500 Drake, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Deadline for reservations is the Wednesday prior to the luncheon. Phone reservations are not accepted. You may cancel your reservations by calling Doris at 321-9344 prior to the deadline. Cancellations after the deadline cannot be refunded. Member s name ($10.00) Spouse ($10.00 Total tickets Amount enclosed $ Retired Employees of Kern County P.O. Box 3022 Bakersfield, CA 93385 PRST-ST U.S. POSTAGE PAID BAKERSFIELD, CA PERMIT NO. 349 November/December Time Dated Material Official Newsletter of The Retired Employees of Kern County Inc.
2004 Board of Directors and Officers David Merritt President Norman Briggs 1st Vice President Jeanne Berkshire 2nd Vice President Ginger Mello Secretary John De Mario Treasurer (acting) Directors Alan Choy 2003/2004 Opal Hargis 2003/2004 Tom McCarthy 2002/2003 Joe Porter 2002/2003 Elinor Wells 2002/2003 John De Mario Past President WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS RETIRED EMPLOYEES OF KERN COUNTY The Board of Directors meet at 10:00 a.m. prior to each regular meeting. All members are invited to attend. REOKC Meetings When: 2nd Tuesday of the month Where: Southwest Veterans Building Wilson Rd. Veterans Hall 1905 Wilson Road Time: Luncheons: Cost: 11:30 a.m. Social Hour Noon luncheon Catered lunch each month $5 for members or spouse $7 for guests WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER Deceased KCERA Members Marguerite Anderson 07-29-03 Spouse Grace Delamater 08-18-03 Spouse Pearlie Johnson 08-16-03 Kern Medical Addie Leonard 07-26-03 Ruth Robertson 08-15-03 Kern Medical Archie Taylor 08-15-03 Sheriff Frank Winegart 08-31-03 Sheriff Hector Dominguez 08-28-03 Parks William Ford 08-28-03 Roads Mary Jones 08-30-03 Health Clifford Scales 09-08-03 Sheriff Frank Souza 08-25-03 Risk Helen Walsh 06-28-03 Spouse Donald Wigginton 08-27-03 Coroner 5 Joseph Campbell Lidia Gonzales James Christopherson Sharon Green Barbara Coddington Eddie Henry Clifford M. Coy Robert Hough David Eckert Veronia Torres Noemi Espanta Deborah Zimmerman Dorothy M. Garee Jennifer Garcia Dorothy Taylor Olivia Barulich Margaret Green Mary Brown Margaret Hollowell Betty Brumfield Cynthia Mitchell Arthur Caraveo Donald Morgan Susan Colbert Jeanette Poarch Erlinda Delacruz Joan Powell Jeffry Fahsbender Jeffrey Reynolds Catarina Gonzales Patricia Tapley Martha White Rose Ford Fire-Safety Health Probation-Safety DA DA DA-Forensic EK Muni Ct. Mental Health Kern Medical Superior Court DA-Family Support Beneficiaries-Sheriff Beneficiaries-Sheriff Library Air Pollution Human Svcs Assessor Kern Medical Comm. Dev. Human Svcs Schools Beneficiary-Roads
Your Retirement Board continued... Since my last report, the Board has taken steps to revise both its Overpayments of Benefits Principles, Policies and Procedures and its policy for the Selection and Retention of Third-Party Hearing Officers. County Counsel, due to either legislative or legal changes that occurred in this state that rendered our old policies out of date, recommended the changes to these policies. If you are interested in these new policies, contact me by e-mail and I will see that you receive copies. Your Retirement Administration was awarded the Government Finance Officers Association award for excellence in financial reporting for the KCERA s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. This award is only presented to organizations that meet the highest standards in the preparation and presentation of there audited financial statements. All members should be proud this honor has been bestowed on KCERA, and the fine work done by KCERA s accountant, Sheryl Lawrence. Sheryl spends many hours maintaining and preparing reports for KCERA, and this honor was due to her hard work and untiring attention to details and workmanship. Thank You Sheryl. As for Ventura II, I have to apologize to you because I do not have the numbers for this month on the percentage completed. Our last Board Meeting had a report that the work was continuing though at a slow pace. The anticipated completion date was about 18 months from now. This seemed to me to be a long time, but I am told that they have to work with little or no records, and in many cases having to use departmental payroll worksheets to make their findings. So, be patient and hang in there. They will get to all retirees sooner-or-later. As a last thought, I have just received my packet for the health plans for 2004. I urge all retirees that are enrolled in the County Retiree Health Plan to read this very important document. If you have any questions, please attend the Health Fair, November 6, 2003 at the County Administrative Building at 1115 Truxtun Avenue in downtown Bakersfield. Remember that this is an open enrollment, and if you are currently covered by the County Health Plan or want to be covered, you can enroll at this time. Go to the Health Fair and ask questions. That is the only way to get answers. Remember that you can now sign up for payroll deduction for the monthly REOKC luncheon. It is $4.00 a month and you will save both time and money be taking advantage of this program. Contact me at the below listed e-mail for your form, or use the following form on this page of the newsletter. If you have any questions or need help with a retirement problem, you can contact me via the internet at jjdmario@aol.com I hope to see you at one of the Retirement Board meetings. They are held the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month starting at 8:00 a.m. on the third floor of the County Administrative Building, 1115 Truxtun Avenue, in Bakersfield. PAYROLL DEDUCTION FOR MONTHLY LUNCHEON SAVE A BUCK!!! If you sign up for payroll deduction for your luncheon cost, you will only be charged $4.00 If you buy a ticket at the luncheon, it will cost $5.00. So. SIGN UP TODAY!! AUTHORIZATION FOR DEDUCTION RETIRED EMPLOYEES OF KERN COUNTY, INC. MEMBERSHIP DUES I hereby authorize and direct you to deduct five dollars ($5.00) per month from my pension warrant as an additional elective payment to the Retired Employees of Kern County, Inc. This deduction shall commence with the next pension payment. I understand that this authorization and membership in the Retired Employees of Kern County, Inc. organization is voluntary and may be revoked by me, in writing, at any time in the future. Name Social Security # Signature Date signed 6