County Transfers $3 Million to Self-Insurance Fund as Weekly Claims Spike

Tippecanoe County Council voted June 10 to transfer $3 million from the general fund to the county’s self-insurance fund (Fund 47.10) after staff told the council that weekly claims have spiked this year.

County staff reported that two weeks earlier the weekly claims bill for health insurance exceeded $300,000. "Two weeks ago, we had over $300,000 for our weekly claims bill from just health insurance. It's just a rough year," a staff presenter told the council. County accounting and benefit funding practices mean the salaries and premiums collected each pay period are not fully covering the balance in Fund 47.10, staff said, and the transfer is meant to stabilize the fund through the remainder of the fiscal year.

The motion to transfer $3,000,000 to Fund 47.10 was made and seconded; council members approved the transfer by voice vote. A staff member said the transfer likely will carry the self-insurance fund through the rest of the year but cautioned it is not a long-term solution and that premiums or budget planning may need adjustment during the next budget cycle.

Councilors asked clarifying questions about whether the transfer targeted the self-insurance operating fund or a reserve account; staff clarified the transfer is to the self-insurance fund (47.10) and not the separate reserve fund. The council did not change premiums at the meeting; members said they expect to review health insurance funding as part of upcoming budget work sessions.