County staff presented a draft self-insured paid family and medical leave plan based on Department of Labor templates and asked permission to submit the plan to the state for review.

The staff member explained that, if the state approves the county’s private plan, the county will establish a reserve account funded at approximately the same rate currently paid to the state (staff said roughly $18,000 per quarter based on gross wages) so the funds remain with the county and earn interest until drawn down by claims. Staff said the county must continue making quarterly payments to the state until the state accepts the private plan.

The staff member told the commissioners the county already handles related applications and has the administrative capacity to run the program in-house; the presenter noted some large private employers have pursued litigation seeking return of previously paid state contributions for use in private plans. The county’s draft does not change employee benefits, the presenter said, and a final plan would return to the board with effective dates if the state approves it.

A commissioner moved to approve the draft plan and submit it to the state; the motion passed 3–0.