Wichita County Commissioners Court took under advisement five proposals for employee health and benefits plans and voted to refer them to the county’s employee benefits committee for review and recommendation. The unanimous vote came during the court’s Aug. 12 meeting.

County Judge (unnamed) told the court the proposals would be reviewed by the employee benefits committee, which will meet Friday to begin detailed evaluation. "I think we just take them under advisement, and then ask the employee benefits committee to take these, start reviewing them thoroughly," the County Judge said on the record.

The county received five proposals: Gallagher Insurance; ETC Employee Benefits Consulting (Tyler); a proposal tied to the Texas Association of Counties Health and Employee Benefits Pool (a self-funded option); Higginbotham Insurance; and Financial Partners. Court discussion noted the request for proposals (RFP) solicited self-funded plans; the county’s current fully insured renewal was handled separately.

County staff said the committee will compile a spreadsheet comparing cost and coverage and may interview shortlisted firms. The committee is expected to meet this Friday, narrow options, and return a recommendation to the full court in about three weeks. County staff also noted the county must decide whether to renew the current plan by Oct. 4.

Commissioner Buchanan moved to take the five bids under advisement and refer them to the employee benefits committee; Commissioner Beauchamp seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

Court members acknowledged employee concern about the process and stressed the committee’s role in producing a clear comparison and recommendation. No final vendor selection or contract award was made at the Aug. 12 meeting.

Looking ahead, the committee’s recommendation will return to the full court for possible action; any change in the county’s insurance arrangement would affect all county employees and the county’s FY-2026 budget planning.