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Clallam County budget hearings spotlight HR shifts and rising insurance, workers' comp pressure
Summary
Human Resources described increases in 2026 payroll and benefits costs driven partly by moving payroll staff back into HR and higher long-term disability/payments. Risk management said it expects continued insurance-price pressure and proposed a realignment of reserve allocations and a maintained workers'comp reserve to cover large claims.
Human Resources and Risk Management presented the county'level budget outlook for 2026, citing personnel moves that reallocated payroll staff to HR, an expected rise in disability/leave payments and higher contractual legal-service needs tied to collective bargaining and claims.
HR overview and staffing
HR staff reported a decline in department revenue due to the end of one retiree premium, while expenditures rose after payroll staff were moved from finance back to HR. Budget increases were requested for long'term disability payments (an administrative line that has risen in recent years owing to increased claims) and for legal services to cover negotiations and workers' compensation litigation.
Risk and insurance assumptions
Risk staff told commissioners they are budgeting for an assumption of about a 20% increase in insurance premiums across the pool, consistent with recent years. Appraisals of county buildings are being completed and could affect property rates. Staff also described program-level reallocations intended to "right-size" the risk allocation to the general fund and other enterprise funds,…
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