Staff member recommends Dimmit County keep grandfathered health plan despite about 18% premium increase
June 25, 2026 | Dimmit County, Texas
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A county staff member recommended the Dimmit County Commissioners approve the 2026–2027 health insurance renewal at a special meeting on June 25, 2026, saying premiums will rise by about 18% and urging wellness efforts to curb high-cost claims.
The presenter told the court that monthly premiums increase "about 18% from $848.54 to $1,005.52," and that the plan remains one of a small number of Texas counties grandfathered into the current benefits. The staff member said the plan continues to feature a $25 copay and a $250 deductible. They told the commissioners that meetings with TAC and a TAPR official indicated the rate rise was driven by several large claims, many tied to muscular conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
"Mr. Benavidez and I did have a meeting with TAC... they did advise us is that there was some high high-level claims that were filed within our program here at Dimmit County," the presenter said, summarizing the insurer's explanation for the increase. The presenter also described ongoing work with Mr. Pineda to develop monthly or biweekly trainings and an incentive program to improve employee health and reduce significant claims.
The transcript lists an insurance contribution figure of "about 143" in April 2025 and states it rose to "170,000" as of March 2026; the units and formatting in the transcript are unclear and were not specified by the presenter. The presenter recommended the court "remain on this grandfathered program and approve it for the 2026-2027 renewal benefit confirmation."
With no questions from the bench, a motion to approve the renewal was made and seconded; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Ojeda. The court voted by voice ('Aye') and the chair stated the motion carries. The court then approved a separate motion to recess and adjourn the special meeting (motion by Commissioner Olontoku; second by Commissioner Ojeda).
The action recorded in the meeting minutes is an approval to continue with the grandfathered insurance plan for 2026–2027 and for staff to proceed with the recommended wellness and training initiatives; the transcript does not record a roll-call vote or a numeric tally, and it does not specify any immediate budget adjustments or the exact fiscal impact in dollars beyond the premium figures noted in the presentation.
The presenter told the court that monthly premiums increase "about 18% from $848.54 to $1,005.52," and that the plan remains one of a small number of Texas counties grandfathered into the current benefits. The staff member said the plan continues to feature a $25 copay and a $250 deductible. They told the commissioners that meetings with TAC and a TAPR official indicated the rate rise was driven by several large claims, many tied to muscular conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
"Mr. Benavidez and I did have a meeting with TAC... they did advise us is that there was some high high-level claims that were filed within our program here at Dimmit County," the presenter said, summarizing the insurer's explanation for the increase. The presenter also described ongoing work with Mr. Pineda to develop monthly or biweekly trainings and an incentive program to improve employee health and reduce significant claims.
The transcript lists an insurance contribution figure of "about 143" in April 2025 and states it rose to "170,000" as of March 2026; the units and formatting in the transcript are unclear and were not specified by the presenter. The presenter recommended the court "remain on this grandfathered program and approve it for the 2026-2027 renewal benefit confirmation."
With no questions from the bench, a motion to approve the renewal was made and seconded; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Ojeda. The court voted by voice ('Aye') and the chair stated the motion carries. The court then approved a separate motion to recess and adjourn the special meeting (motion by Commissioner Olontoku; second by Commissioner Ojeda).
The action recorded in the meeting minutes is an approval to continue with the grandfathered insurance plan for 2026–2027 and for staff to proceed with the recommended wellness and training initiatives; the transcript does not record a roll-call vote or a numeric tally, and it does not specify any immediate budget adjustments or the exact fiscal impact in dollars beyond the premium figures noted in the presentation.
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