The Special Town Council Meeting held on August 19, 2025, in Summerville, South Carolina, focused primarily on updates regarding employee health insurance plans and associated costs.

During the meeting, council members discussed the renewal of the town's health insurance plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield, which will see a decrease in premiums by 15%, resulting in a total cost of approximately $5.1 million for the upcoming plan year. Despite this reduction, employee contributions to the plan will remain unchanged, ensuring that employees will not face increased costs.

A significant point of discussion was the introduction of an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). The town plans to allocate $544,000 to support around 160 employees, allowing them to reduce their deductible from $1,500 to $1,000. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on employees by reimbursing them for deductible expenses exceeding the $1,000 threshold. Employees will need to submit their Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to a designated benefits coordinator to receive their reimbursements, which are expected to be processed within a week.

The council emphasized the importance of this program in supporting employees and ensuring they have access to necessary healthcare without excessive out-of-pocket costs. The meeting concluded with assurances that both town staff and external coordinators would be available to assist employees in navigating the reimbursement process.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the town's commitment to maintaining affordable healthcare options for its employees while managing costs effectively.