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Bourbon County commissioners debate employee-benefits funding after budget approval
Summary
Commissioners discussed a possible levy increase to shore up the county—mployee benefits fund and heard staff concerns about rising health insurance claims following approval of the 2026 budget.
Bourbon County commissioners discussed whether to increase property tax levies to cover rising employee health-insurance costs at their Sept. 29 meeting after approving the county—udget last week.
The discussion centered on the employee benefit fund, which county staff say may be strained if current claims trends continue. County staff presented an updated projection showing the fund could require an additional levy-funded transfer; staff estimated the needed adjustment at roughly $107,000 to $137,000 depending on final insurer rates and enrollment changes.
The issue matters because the county clerk must certify the levy schedule in October to meet state deadlines. County Clerk Susan Walker briefed the commission on the submission process and said the final budget documentation that will be sent to the state in December will be shared with commissioners: "You'll get a copy," she told the board during the meeting.
Commissioners debated options rather than taking an immediate vote. One commissioner urged caution about "budget creep," saying the board had recently lowered the mill levy and worked to build carryover reserves; others noted current claims were already high (staff cited a prior report showing 95% of some claim projections), and that if the board wanted additional levy revenue next year it needed to budget for it now.
Staff clarified practical effects of adding levy: the change would increase property tax collections and, if not used, remain in county reserves for future use. Staff also said that changes to benefits plans and open-enrollment decisions could reduce the anticipated cost pressure before rates are finalized.
No formal motion to change the levy was made at the meeting. Commissioners directed staff and the county—roker to continue working on insurance options and to return with more detailed proposals; they also signaled they would review benefit-plan designs in roughly a week before making any levy or budget amendments.
The commission approved the budget at a prior meeting; the Sept. 29 discussion focused on whether to adjust that adopted plan to address employee-health cost uncertainty going into 2026.
