Aransas County employees urge retention of retiree health benefits; HR offers tiered compromise

County Clerk Misty Kimbrough and several county employees pressed Aransas County commissioners on a possible reduction in retiree health benefits at a Commissioners Court workshop in Rockport, saying cuts would jeopardize recruitment and retention of experienced staff.

Kimbrough said the promise of continued health coverage after retirement influenced her decision to join the county and that removing the benefit would harm “single moms” and other employees who can’t afford private coverage. “Taking away a benefit that has been an expectation for your employees the entire time they’ve been employed is not right,” Kimbrough said.

The workshop included a presentation from Human Resources Director Desiree (last name not provided in the transcript), who delivered an analysis of current retiree coverage and…