Committee adopts 2027 insurance premium equivalents; board may delay employee-share implementation pending pay study

Committee members approved a resolution setting the county's 2027 insurance premium equivalents and discussed coordinating any change to employees' premium share with the ongoing classification-and-compensation study.

Staff described the premium-share breakdown: employees pay 10% of the premium (15% if they do not participate in the required wellness program) while the county pays 90% or 85% depending on tier. "The recommended increase is the same as what we did present to you in July, which is 9.46%, which is slightly less than last year's increase of 9.85%." Staff said exhibit A in the packet breaks down costs by benefit tier and pay period.

Administrator Mark Liberta (introduced in the packet) recommended approving the rates now to permit open enrollment while bringing a supplemental resolution in October that would allow the board to delay implementing any employee-share increase until after the class-and-comp study results are reviewed. Committee approved the resolution by voice vote.