Delaware County sets 2026 health-cost shares as insurers raise rates; spousal surcharge increases

The Delaware County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 2 approved Resolution 25-792 establishing employee cost shares for 2026 health, dental and vision coverage and raising the monthly spousal surcharge from $150 to $200.

Deputy Administrator Dawn Houston, who presented the proposal, told the board the county received a 13.2% overall rate increase from SEPCO and that the proposal would maintain employee contributions at 13% of total cost per pay period. "We received a 13.2% increase in our overall rates from SEPCO," Houston said. She said the county would continue to contribute 50% of the total cost for vision and dental for employees who elect those coverages.

Why it matters: the board and staff said the 13.2% increase translates to about $2,700,000 in additional county expense for 2026. Commissioners emphasized the tradeoffs between taxpayer costs and supporting employees. Commissioner Benton said the county and taxpayers will shoulder a large portion of the increase and urged careful use of benefits. "This is a very large increase," Benton said. Commissioner Merrill also said the board had discussed the renewal at length and that the result reflected efforts to balance taxpayers' and employees' interests.

Details and implementation: the resolution preserves the 13% employee contribution, establishes dental rates after a 5% dental increase while vision rates were unchanged, and raises the spousal surcharge from $150 to $200 per month for spouses who have access to other employer coverage. Dawn Houston said the change in the spousal surcharge was one measure to offset the county's increased costs. Open enrollment for these plan changes is scheduled for Oct. 27 through Nov. 7, with four in‑person sessions on Oct. 27; sessions will be recorded for staff who cannot attend.

What the board voted on: the board moved, seconded and approved Resolution 25-792 by recorded voice votes with the three commissioners present voting "Aye." The resolution directs implementation of the new rates and the spousal surcharge for the 2026 plan year.

Context: Commissioners and staff said they considered multiple options in executive sessions and elsewhere before settling on the proposal. County officials described the renewal as difficult given market conditions and noted the increase likely exceeds expected general wage adjustments for county employees.

Next steps and follow-up: human resources and benefits staff will publish enrollment materials and the schedule for Oct. 27–Nov. 7. The resolution does not specify an employer-funded offset beyond the county's continued share; any future changes will require board action.