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Pinal County approves 7% increase to health benefits trust contributions for FY26
Summary
The Board approved a Pinal County Health Benefits Trust Board recommendation to raise medical and pharmacy contributions by 7% and vision by 4% to shore up the trust’s reserves; county will absorb most costs across general and special funds.
The Board of Supervisors voted March 19 to accept the Pinal County Health Benefits Trust Board’s recommendation to increase employer contributions for the county’s medical and pharmacy plans by 7 percent and the vision plan by 4 percent for fiscal year 2025–26.
Angie Woods, director of the Office of Budget and Finance, told the board the trust’s consultant forecasted higher health-care inflation and recommended the increase to protect the trust’s financial-stability reserve. ‘‘Anticipated cost increases are a result of historic claims payments and estimated increases in medical costs,’’ Woods said.
Woods said the county estimates the change will cost roughly $1.6 million in total, and that the county historically absorbs much of plan funding rather than shifting costs to employees. She said the likely split of the increase is about $1.2 million to the general fund and $400,000 to special-revenue funds.
The board approved the trust’s recommended contribution increases by voice vote.
Ending: Woods said the trust will continue monitoring claims and reserves and will return with additional recommendations if conditions change.
