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Chilton County adopts FY2025–26 budget and approves 75% employer contribution for family health plans
Summary
Chilton County Commission on Aug. 26 approved the 2025–26 budget and a county contribution covering 75% of employees' family health-plan premiums; county staff provided cost estimates and commissioners agreed to review the policy annually.
The Chilton County Commission on Aug. 26 adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget and voted unanimously to pay 75% of employees' family health-plan premiums, the commission said. The final motion to adopt the budget was moved by Commissioner Childress and seconded by Commissioner Perkins; the vote was recorded as unanimous.
County staff presented cost estimates tied to different employer contribution levels. Staff reported that if the county covers 50% of family premiums and uptake doubled (from 11 to 22 employees), the county share would be about $79,992; at 65% the estimate rose to about $115,368; at 75% it was about $181,632. Staff added a higher-uptake scenario (about 30 additional employees) that would push the county cost toward $247,680. Those estimates were presented by county staff and were discussed but not attributed to an individual who testified during the meeting.
Commissioners discussed employee retention in the sheriff’s office and corrections division as part of the justification for a larger county contribution. County staff said turnover increases training costs: “Every time we lose a deputy, we have to hire a deputy … it takes us about 10 months and $50,000 to bring that deputy up to the point that they can actually start patrolling,” according to comments recorded in the meeting.
Commissioners also discussed timing and implementation. County staff noted the insurer’s plan renewals are on a calendar-year basis; commissioners discussed how the premium change would align with the county budget and said the contribution level would be reviewed annually.
The budget resolution as adopted includes the 75% family-plan contribution and a statement that the health-care contribution will be reevaluated each year.
Implementation details not specified in the meeting record: whether the county will change premium-sharing on the insurer’s next renewal date or at a specific payroll date. Commissioners directed staff to account for the added cost in the adopted budget and to return with any additional implementation details as needed.
