[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6184389,"mediaKeyId","5090957-c72fd3e2951b58318c54e69bd015dad0","parentId",5090957,"title","Council directs staff to pursue partially self‑funded health plan with stop‑loss coverage; vendors named","audioSeconds",528,"startMs",5085000,"endMs",5613000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5090957-c72fd3e2951b58318c54e69bd015dad0&start=5085&end=5613","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5090957-c72fd3e2951b58318c54e69bd015dad0/thumbnail_5085000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6184389/Copperas-Cove/Coryell-County/Texas/Council-directs-staff-to-pursue-partially-selffunded-health-plan-with-stoploss-coverage-vendors-named","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184389-aedc2170cabffc7338e407ee06ea3856/orig.mp4?Expires=1775197162&Signature=mfGa9krKbwDQg-pQ0W4Vni84HrcUuMWdKguOx1EvJMLiJ0m0~rlL9MatnB26Urr4UXOAEeWghvlpvL1LyCKl3Jr2VsW3h-YHZMdm8s5V9FXUqqGi9ktrLdwm2eP28hLLCyTUws32yzkz0lY4VOlc19dH14BHVn0vzxx7i0seTnzTWcajh1dbt25pIOKT3rD3WzhLEyznNVB-eAlGN62cGU--zKr4JgRUIANQTCsu8DkodAcurJXI7C420tGnxy47OdtNaWvio9GMMoMJ93XtAofbSMT5HrdRZA7EbwoKz6Zr9BKy1IEWNdkoOxy-JuTF7fMM48APk6jLkDPOVCtgaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Copperas Cove TX","date","2025-06-27T20:43:54.687Z","article","Copperas Cove — City officials received proposals Thursday that compared the city’s current fully insured renewal with options for a partially self‑funded health plan, and council directed staff to proceed with contracting steps for a self‑funded model using specified vendors and stop‑loss protection.

Jeff Davis, director of human resources, and consultant Tad Doro of BKCW presented cost illustrations and vendor recommendations. The fully insured renewal from Baylor Scott & White showed an 8.5% increase, bringing the annual premium to about $1.95 million. The consultants presented self‑funded scenarios that modeled administrative costs, stop‑loss premiums and claims volatility.

Recommendation and rationale

The consultant recommended a partially self‑funded structure using Aetna (Meritaine TPA) for administration, SmithRx for the pharmacy benefit, and Pareto captive stop‑loss membership with Sun Life for risk protection. The proposed individual stop‑loss deductible is $75,000. The illustrative funding scenarios showed a \"great\" year at approximately $1.68 million, a typical scenario near $1.9 million and a worst case toward $2.28 million. The consultant and HR director recommended funding plan reserves at or near the renewal level given the city’s existing reserves.

Why it matters: Council heard that a partially self‑funded plan can give the city more control of pharmacy savings and benefit design while still protecting the city from catastrophic claims with stop‑loss insurance. Jeff Davis said current pharmacy pass‑throughs and discounts are retained under the proposed model and estimated pharmacy savings of roughly $42,000 annually from the proposed PBM arrangement.

Council direction and next steps

Councilmembers expressed support for moving forward. City Manager Ryan and HR staff said they would begin contract negotiations and return to council for signatures. The city will fund the initial transition from existing reserves; consultants noted the city currently has reserves available to dampen volatility in the first months of the plan.

Decision vs. action

Council gave staff direction to pursue the recommended partially self‑funded plan and to bring final contracts and implementation details back for council approval. No final contract was signed at the workshop.

Ending

Staff will negotiate agreements with the recommended vendors and prepare the documents for council consideration and signature prior to the start of the new plan year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Special Workshop 06-26-2025","oneSentenceSummary","After receiving quotes, council directed staff to pursue a partially self‑funded employee health plan using Aetna (Meritaine), SmithRx for pharmacy management and Pareto captive stop‑loss via Sun Life with a $75,000 individual deductible; staff will prepare contracts for council signature.","taxTitle","Copperas Cove, Coryell County, Texas","taxId",52762,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6184393,"City to advance fee‑schedule updates; council to adopt changes with August budget",440,4614000,5054000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5090957-c72fd3e2951b58318c54e69bd015dad0&start=4614&end=5054","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5090957-c72fd3e2951b58318c54e69bd015dad0/thumbnail_4614000.jpg","/articles/6184393/Copperas-Cove/Coryell-County/Texas/City-to-advance-feeschedule-updates-council-to-adopt-changes-with-August-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184393-a7061f0ebc7a480ee506c524bfd7ac5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775197162&Signature=hjt5jTAlaSZAtWt6u6mKA2SgtBcLf3kgl7kT7T10-bewSBW7JpzP35zGBF8hh8Ot5YzcbTuXt0WrH-702zOF-1i7Tbj22ZQs~4O2c5CDAtMKK4K1JR0FvFGk8cpiJUK-dCEe20fviKOIME047rorohfpyZNlxa4Ud0UE5gi2ZTG3KGKLN39DByKPGCQrS9O5OD-RFZcySkZR6-01e8TxbxVtMCj53gPSalraVsvfvAWgNTamcFi8-OWyx5p1PBZCQN~40dzT2idYL1LuBmkFdAomN3ff3e1bTxpJa5amdwrKMAEuVETVAINM1atrhRPzWRtfcLSNrFv475h0vV68VQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Copperas Cove — City staff presented a comprehensive set of fee‑schedule updates Thursday and council directed staff to include the proposed changes when the fee schedule returns for formal adoption alongside the August budget revisions.

Arianna Beckman, the city’s director of budget, walked council through department‑level changes, saying many line items were updated to reflect cost increases and administrative adjustments.

Key proposed adjustments

• Animal control: Adoption fees for fully vetted dogs and cats would decrease by $5 to correct a disparity for partially vetted adopters; a label change adds an \"aggressive\" descriptor to dangerous‑animal signage.

• Fire department: Non‑emergency service call fees would increase to $250 to reflect higher personnel and equipment costs; staff also proposed removing half‑hour minimums for billing to align with other non‑emergency fees.

• Burn permits: The proposed permit fee would rise from $50 to $150 to cover permitting labor costs.

• Building and development: Most building, development and permitting fees would receive a 2.8% increase tied to the consumer price index; a number of obsolete or department‑transferred fees were removed.

• Streets: An after‑hours service fee (for work after 4:00 p.m.) would be added at about $101.40; new subdivision signage fees were proposed (yield sign combo $110; stop sign combo $130; speed limit sign $120).

• Parks & recreation and golf course: A restoration fee would be added to adult sports, and the golf course would add instruction fees ($50 single lesson; $185 five‑lesson package).

Why it matters: The updates reflect inflationary pressures, operational costs and the results of a recent utilities/solid‑waste study. Council members had no substantive objections and asked that the edits be packaged with the August budget adoption.

Next steps

Staff will incorporate the highlighted fee changes into the formal ordinance and present the item for adoption in August when the city considers changes to the proposed fiscal 2025–26 budget.","Staff presented proposed changes to the city fee schedule — including a CPI adjustment for development fees, higher burn‑permit costs, new after‑hours street fees, and added golf lesson charges — and council directed staff to include all edits for formal adoption in August.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6184398,"Council signals approval for hotel‑occupancy‑tax requests; will fund from HOT balance and finalize in August",1343,3091000,4434000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5090957-c72fd3e2951b58318c54e69bd015dad0&start=3091&end=4434","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5090957-c72fd3e2951b58318c54e69bd015dad0/thumbnail_3091000.jpg","/articles/6184398/Copperas-Cove/Coryell-County/Texas/Council-signals-approval-for-hoteloccupancytax-requests-will-fund-from-HOT-balance-and-finalize-in-August","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184398-c440a62ab6dd46c5564a644ae08b488d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775197162&Signature=QfO4McKKcME8F5XYrJQ0iT0DbVgTd7icxHfKUMFfnU1RyyPHG8wJKFv-I9gTqwnIr1mlpSzkxPu7ngR9Gs3lMTkwrybl7Wu3IBVp0lZT9iU1upiiECeuFksTV3Llopw5698SHxNoMdfF2Ah8FPq9nEgI-wzT-BWoMuqrYXZ2SrgQfa7ml~iI5pVbK0dw3Q39pL16kCKnawmcK9OQvckanprBfz-fwyJJThbVm66GuyUx7vp2NecWzExQAwJXpRCa6li-LUd8p9JVNf27oSGRxOFIxSGNwahja1fY4ICVZGCoQoojT~1tjoJFlmYLAn7h7qQf8QALMp4zM-foYib1eA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Copperas Cove — City Council reviewed requests for hotel‑occupancy‑tax (HOT) funding for fiscal 2025–26 and signaled support for the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, RabbitFest, Christkindlmarket and the Cove House bike tour, with staff to include those allocations in the proposed budget changes in August.

Arianna Beckman, director of budget, summarized HOT fund rules and the proposed budget. She told the council the beginning audited HOT balance was $380,406 and staff estimated about $214,000 in HOT revenues for the coming year; the proposed HOT expenditures totaled roughly $195,000, producing an estimated ending balance of about $399,000. Council heard requests that exceeded the available line‑item total by roughly $26,000, but staff said the audited fund balance could support the excess if council chooses to allocate the full requests.

Why it matters: HOT revenues are statutorily restricted to tourism‑related uses; approval would commit those dedicated hotel‑tax dollars to events and tourism programming that the chamber and visitors bureau say generate hotel room nights and local spending.

Requests summarized

• Cove House Classic Bike Tour: Brian Hawkins requested $2,500 to help cover T‑shirts and statewide advertising; he said a prior storm cut ridership last year but the organization expects about 200 riders this year and local economic benefits from overnight stays.

• RabbitFest and Christkindlmarket: Beth Galey Carden, presenting for the Copperas Cove Chamber and Visitors Bureau, asked for $35,000 for RabbitFest advertising and $15,000 for Christkindlmarket. She said RabbitFest drew roughly 24,000 visitors in 2025 and an estimated 233 hotel room nights, producing an estimated economic impact of about $1.1 million for the four‑day festival.

• Visitors Bureau operations: The Chamber asked for $133,041 to support year‑round tourism promotion, visitor services and digital campaigns; staff said the bureau recently relocated downtown to boost walk‑in visitor service.

Authority and eligibility

Beckman reminded council that HOT funds are governed by state law (Texas Tax Code Chapter 351) and that uses must promote tourism and, per statute and local policy, support hotel‑industry activity such as documented hotel room nights and eligible tourism or arts activities.

Council direction and next steps

After discussion councilmembers expressed support for funding the HOT requests and asked staff to draw from the HOT ending fund balance to cover any excess. The mayor and several councilmembers said the allocations would be included as proposed changes to the budget for formal action during the August meeting. City staff confirmed that HOT allocations do not affect property‑tax revenues and that the ending fund balance is an audited HOT reserve that may be used for these eligible expenditures.

Decision vs. action

Council’s support was recorded as a consensus to include the HOT allocations in the proposed budget changes; no formal recorded vote was taken at the workshop. Formal inclusion and appropriation will occur when the council adopts the final budget or specific HOT allocation ordinance in August.

Ending

Staff will list HOT allocations in the August proposed budget changes and circulate details to council. Applicants were allowed to present data and answer council questions at the workshop; councilmembers asked staff for final numbers before adoption.","The council reviewed hotel‑occupancy‑tax requests from the Chamber, Visitors Bureau, RabbitFest, and Cove House bike tour and expressed consensus to allocate the requested HOT amounts using the fund’s audited balance, with formal budget incorporation in August.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6184403,"Copperas Cove council delays general‑fund awards after nonprofit funding presentations; directs staff to negotiate transit contribution",1791,804000,2595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5090957-c72fd3e2951b58318c54e69bd015dad0&start=804&end=2595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5090957-c72fd3e2951b58318c54e69bd015dad0/thumbnail_804000.jpg","/articles/6184403/Copperas-Cove/Coryell-County/Texas/Copperas-Cove-council-delays-generalfund-awards-after-nonprofit-funding-presentations-directs-staff-to-negotiate-transit-contribution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184403-85fb32075d52e62af8b9feb695c45f22/orig.mp4?Expires=1775197162&Signature=GtalB1WWBMOuVJpdJ1S~Z64YKR5ZGN4MbatTnC-oJZ35EJ0DnEdPj0iufIz0aedPkehanxAOu4yJb8DvL3Qz6BGvaS4KBJG4YjPWigbttFI2izjRY4HPnblaUyscVSZvSkWG4~3LqLhbNscr23lVVbTu186MyR9Qh~3qWyeFZAZl-rqTwDJpfwveIZd9e7nFrLcZYBC~BmN4SqRV0~6bh4W~IwMNwIe8E-vgGY5Xse5iJ5Wif5c489MXh2RsKicFjtdKJhS-aAf4M2-0SC9IMe~QfaSv5mVSAgQ6egwOh0hbC2QzllpPRMYIQTqbtL4QgntIHRouTdIq8wO1~~Nqvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Copperas Cove — City Council on Thursday heard presentations from local nonprofit agencies seeking general‑fund support for fiscal 2025–26 and agreed to postpone formal allocations until its August budget review, while directing staff to begin negotiating possible changes to the Hill Country Transit District contract.

Arianna Beckman, the city’s director of budget, opened the item by outlining eligibility and the ask totals for general‑fund requests, saying the proposed budget included $134,463 for noncity agencies while applicants requested $193,713 in total. She identified $94,463 of the proposed amount as the city’s contribution to the Hill Country Transit District (the HOP).

Why it matters: The general fund already showed a multi‑hundred‑thousand‑dollar shortfall in staff presentations, and council members said they wanted time to review requests and consult directly with applicants before committing taxpayer dollars.

Most substantive requests

• Cove House: Brian Hawkins, executive director of Cove House, asked for $50,000 to support operations. Hawkins described the shelter’s recent six‑plex project (built with ARPA funds) and said the program sheltered 110 residents last year and the organization has expanded food storage and pantry services. \"We will be grateful for the amount of money that is allocated to our organization,\" Hawkins told council.

• Boys & Girls Club: \"We serve 246 members throughout the year,\" said Crystal, branch director of the Copperas Cove Boys & Girls Club, which requested $15,000 to cover utilities at its local facility.

• Hill Country Community Action Association: Jamie Hunt, aging services director, described the Copperas Cove Senior Meals Program and asked for $10,000 to support roughly 15,590 meals budgeted at $76,550 for food costs; Hunt said the program delivers congregate and homebound meals and provides wellness checks and nutrition education.

• Rainbow Heart Studio: Crystal (organizer, Rainbow Heart Studio) requested $20,000 to stage a one‑day \"brews and bands\" downtown music festival and said the organizers had not applied for hotel‑occupancy‑tax funding because a single‑day event would not reliably generate documented hotel room nights.

• Noon Exchange Club: Brian Hawkins, also speaking for the Noon Exchange Club, requested $4,250 to offset roughly half of the cost of the Feast of Sharing, an annual community meal that organizers expect will feed about 650 people.

Transit funding and negotiation

Councilmembers pressed staff about the $94,463 request for Hill Country Transit District (the HOP). Councilmember Jack Smith and others asked whether the city could renegotiate its contribution. City Manager Ryan (city manager) said reductions were possible but cautioned that municipal contributions affect the federal grant allocation for the region. \"Whatever amount we contribute, it correlates to a federal contribution to our region and specifically to Copperas Cove service as well,\" the city manager said, adding that a reduced city contribution would likely reduce local service levels and vehicle availability.

Council direction and next steps

Council members agreed they wanted time to talk individually with applicants. The mayor and multiple councilmembers supported delaying decisions on the general‑fund requests and asked staff to return allocations as part of proposed budget changes in August. Staff agreed to circulate the spreadsheet of requests and proposed allocations to councilmembers for review and to follow up with agencies as requested.

Discussion vs. action

Council did not adopt funding amounts during the meeting. The record shows discussion and a council direction to postpone formal allocations (action: postponed/tabled); staff were directed to negotiate with the HOP about possible contribution levels and to provide more detailed options and service‑impact information before council adopts the final budget.

Ending

Council anticipates revisiting the requests as part of the proposed changes to the fiscal 2025–26 budget at its August meeting. No general‑fund disbursements were approved at Thursday’s workshop.","Council heard funding requests from local nonprofits — including Cove House, Boys & Girls Club, senior meals and a proposed music festival — and postponed allocating general‑fund support until August while asking staff to discuss the Hill Country Transit District contract and provide more allocation details.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council directs staff to pursue partially self‑funded health plan with stop‑loss coverage; vendors named

City to advance fee‑schedule updates; council to adopt changes with August budget

Council signals approval for hotel‑occupancy‑tax requests; will fund from HOT balance and finalize in August

Copperas Cove council delays general‑fund awards after nonprofit funding presentations; directs staff to negotiate transit contribution