Title
Discussion and possible action to accept the OSU Local County Training Calculation Formula for the 2026/2027 annual county office salary compensation.
• Premium Increases: Health Choice rates (High, Basic, and High Deductible plans) will increase by nearly 20% (approx. 19%), exceeding the anticipated budget.
• HMO Provider Changes: Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) HMO has been dropped. Community Care will be the only available HMO option, though its coverage and services in the local area require further review.
• Cost-Mitigation Strategies: To offset rising premium costs for employees, the benefits committee is exploring:
• Eliminating the Health Choice High plan and transitioning to the Basic plan (which shares the same PPO network and services but alters the cost-sharing ratio).
• Utilizing existing budgeted benefit funds to implement a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or restructuring Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contributions.
• Adjusting deductible levels.
• Broker of Record Selection: Hub International (the current workers' compensation broker) has presented alternative BCBS rates and will meet with the remaining Commissioners next week. A formal step to designate Hub International as the official Broker of Record for health benefits is required to allow them to negotiate better rates and discounts.
• Plan Alignment: Management is exploring shifting the plan's effective date from January 1 to July 1 to align with the fiscal budget cycle. This timeline would provide definitive rate data by March, preventing unexpected year-end rate shocks.
• Next Steps: A special Employee Benefits Committee meeting is scheduled for tomorrow morning to review these items in detail.
Body
Approve