The Benbrook City Council on Oct. 16 approved one-year contracts with Cigna Healthcare for group health and dental insurance, effective Nov. 1, 2025, through Oct. 31, 2026.

Finance Director Rick Overgaard told the council Cigna's initial proposed health-rate increase was 19.37% but negotiations reduced the increase to 9% with no change in benefits, copays or deductibles. Overgaard said the employee-only monthly rate is $848.83 and the city had budgeted $2,470,017 for health insurance; the projected cost for the upcoming year is $2,149,218, yielding an estimated savings of $320,799.

On dental coverage, Overgaard reported a 5.81% premium increase with no changes to plan features. He said the estimated total city cost for dental coverage was provided in the packet and included in the FY 2025–26 budget.

Councilmember Mackey moved to approve the one-year health contract; Councilmember Tanner seconded. The health contract motion carried unanimously. Dr. Marshall moved to approve the one-year dental contract; Councilmember Phillips seconded. That motion also carried unanimously.

Council discussion praised staff negotiation efforts and noted the importance of limiting cumulative increases year to year.