City Manager (name not specified) told the commission that a staff inquiry to UnitedHealthcare raised concerns about adding a new class of employees for commissioners to the city health plan after rates had been calculated. Because the insurer would need to create a new class and reprice the pool, staff said it is unlikely the change could be incorporated into this year's budget.

The city provided commissioners with a summary showing the estimated fully loaded employer cost at roughly $9,000 to $9,600 per commissioner per year if they were added to an existing plan. Staff said the city would continue to pursue cost information but that including commissioners immediately could "jeopardize the proposal" UnitedHealthcare had already provided.

Miss Mathis (staff) told commissioners that because the change would create a "special class" outside existing employee classes, the insurer is hesitant to add it mid-cycle. "So we just can't do it in time for this year, but we will track that for the next year," City Manager said.

Commissioners asked procedural questions about enrollment timing and whether benefits follow the fiscal year; staff confirmed benefits align with the fiscal year, meaning a change would take effect at the next practical enrollment period.

No formal action or vote occurred; staff were directed to continue studying the cost to add a class of commissioners and to report back in time to allow incorporation in a future budget if feasible.