County public commenter clarifies 2026 employee wellness incentive and enrollment deadlines

A county staff member clarified during public comment that a county-specific incentive for the 2026 employee health care account requires a physician wellness exam — not a pass/fail physical — and that employees who complete the exam can earn an additional $300 for their health care account. The staff member told the commissioners that the baseline health care account funding will be $1,700 for each employee for the 2026 benefit plan year and that the county-specific incentive gives eligible employees a chance to increase that funding by $300 if they visit their physician for a wellness exam before the September deadline. The clarification matters because, the commenter said, the word “physical” used at a prior meeting implied a pass/fail requirement. “That is not the requirement for this incentive,” she said. “This incentive does not require a physical. The county specific incentive requires the employee to visit their physician for a wellness exam.” She said the incentive is optional and that employees who do not complete the wellness exam will receive only the $1,700 base funding. She also said the incentive covers spouses who are on the plan. When asked, “Does that include the spouse if they're on the [plan]?” she replied, “That does include the spouse also if they're on the plan.” The commenter encouraged employees to complete the exam sooner than September so the health care account is funded correctly, said that forms are available to take to a physician, and added that “TAC will be visiting us soon” to visit departments and distribute forms. No motion or vote was taken on the item during public comment; the remarks were recorded as a clarification for the court and staff.