Hocking County commissioners approved the county's 2026 insurance renewal Sept. 4, accepting a 3.4% overall increase from the county's plan administrator. Commissioners said the rate increase was lower than statewide averages they had been given earlier by staff.

One commissioner said the county's rate increase was "3.4%" and noted that the state average had been reported at about 9.9% for Ohio; the board cited better-than-expected county health performance as the reason for the smaller increase. The county will continue to explore alternatives to the existing arrangement, a commissioner said, but accepted the renewal for the 2026 period.

The motion to accept the renewal passed with commissioners voting in favor; no further details on premium totals or line-item changes were offered at the meeting, and staff will handle enrollment and billing changes as part of routine benefits administration.