Oconee County budget draft proposes insurance review, stronger oversight of partner agencies and fee increases

Oconee County staff presented a draft budget to the Budget, Finance and Administration Committee on April 29 that keeps the general‑fund millage stable but includes proposals to review the county’s self‑insured health plan, strengthen oversight of third‑party pass‑through funds, and adjust multiple fees and service charges to better cover operating costs.

Amanda Brock, the county budget presenter, told the committee claims under the county’s self‑insured health plan exceeded budgeted projections by about $7,000,000 over the past five years and that maintaining the current plan would require employee premium contributions “more than 104 times what the current employee pays,” an outcome staff said would be untenable. Brock said the county has convened a benefits‑review committee, will benchmark against the Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), and will seek proposals from brokers to identify options that maintain retiree benefits for long‑service public safety employees while limiting employee premium increases.

Brock also…