Wichita County Commissioners Court on Tuesday voted unanimously to retain the county's elected contribution rate to the Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS) at 14% for 2026 and to keep the group term life rate at 0.11%, for a combined total rate of 14.11%.

The county judge said a 1‑percentage‑point reduction — for example from 14% to 13% — would save approximately $300,000 but preferred maintaining the higher elected rate to stay ahead of actuarial needs. The judge said keeping a higher elected rate helps the county “bank” retirement funding within the plan so the county can pull back to the required rate if future budget difficulties arise.

Commissioners discussed the required actuarial rate, which the judge said had fallen to just over 11% (11.07% as read in the meeting). Supporters of maintaining the 14% rate said the county's retirement plan is a strong recruitment and retention tool for county employees.

A motion to maintain the elected 14% rate and 0.11% group term life rate was made by Commissioner Beauchamp and seconded by Commissioner Watts; the court approved the motion 5‑0.