Kendall County approves TAC wellness incentive; court selects option that spreads gift-card awards

Kendall County commissioners approved a wellness-incentive program on June 24 intended to encourage employees to complete annual physicals and dental exams. The program will use funds provided through the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) Health and Employee Benefits Pool and will begin with the next open-enrollment cycle.

Juanita Espino, Kendall County human resources director, explained the program is intended to lower insurance premiums by encouraging preventive care. She told the court the county had budgeted for a wellness incentive without using additional taxpayer funds: "The goal was to not cost the county taxpayers any additional funds to create an initiative."

Mark (staff technical representative) outlined raffle distribution options using the TAC funds and recommended Option 4, a graduated set of gift cards that spreads awards to more employees: "We have 1 $500 gift card, 2 by $300, 4 by $200, and 8 by $100, which personally is the 1 I lean towards." Commissioners asked how employees who are covered by a spouse's insurance or are on military/retiree plans could participate; staff said they would create a paper form for employees to provide proof of exams so those not on county insurance can still be included.

The court initially approved the wellness incentive and later, after reconvening from executive session, approved an amended motion to select Option 4 (the graduated gift-card distribution). The amended motion carried 5–0.

Ending: Human Resources will draft the formal policy, prepare an employee brochure, and coordinate tracking methods (electronic or paper) so employees not on county insurance can participate. Staff expect to begin the incentive with the next plan year enrollment and to hold a raffle before the holidays.