In 2023, Perry County Councilman Keith Huck filed an injunction to challenge a decision by the County Commissioners to remove all part-time employees from the county insurance plan, including himself. Huck argued that his role as a councilman required full-time dedication, despite the commissioners stating that it only necessitated nine hours of work per month.
The trial court initially sided with Huck and restored his health benefits. However, this ruling was appealed by Perry County officials, resulting in the original decision being reinstated. This means that Huck will now have to find alternative health insurance coverage for himself.
The decision by the State Court of Appeals highlights the ongoing debate over the responsibilities and benefits granted to part-time employees within the county government. As such, this issue is likely to continue to be a topic of contention in future discussions regarding employee compensation and benefits within local governments.
