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Commissioners keep Wichita County retirement contribution rate at 14% for 2026
Summary
Wichita County voted 5-0 to keep the elected TCDRS contribution rate at 14% and group term life rate at 0.11% (total 14.11%) for 2026, citing actuarial gains and recruitment/retention benefits; commissioners noted reducing the rate by 1% would save roughly $300,000 but preferred to remain ahead of actuarial liabilities.
Wichita County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to maintain the county’s elected contribution rate for the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) at 14% for 2026, with a group term life rate of 0.11%, a total budgeted rate of 14.11%. The motion, made by Commissioner Beauchamp and seconded by Commissioner Watts, passed 5-0. In discussion, the county’s elected judge and commissioners cited recent actuarial improvements: the required TCDRS contribution had fallen to roughly 11.07%. Commissioners said continuing the higher elected rate provides a cushion against down years and supports employee recruitment and retention. The court noted a 1 percentage-point reduction from 14% to 13% would be about $300,000 in the county budget. Speakers argued that maintaining the current elected rate was prudent budgeting because the additional contribution is invested within the retirement plan rather than sitting as unallocated savings. The court took no separate budget amendment beyond the ratification of the elected rate; implementation will proceed under the county’s standard payroll and benefit processes.
