Commissioners fail to advance proposal to cut retiree insurance subsidies and remove spouse coverage
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Summary
Debate over Ordinance 2025-31 to change retiree insurance from a 70/30 county/employee split to 50/50 and to remove spouse coverage ended without a second; commissioners will draft clarified ordinance language for the next meeting reflecting the agreed 70/30 split and removal of spouse coverage effective Jan. 1.
Commissioners engaged in a detailed discussion Nov. 17 over proposed changes to retiree health insurance in Ordinance 2025-31, which would have rescinded earlier retiree-insurance ordinances, shifted the county/employee premium split from 70/30 to 50/50, and removed spouse/dependent coverage effective Jan. 1.
Staff noted the county currently pays 70% of retiree premiums while the employee pays 30% and reported roughly 30 retirees on the plan. The county—s review of neighboring counties suggested many peers do not pay retiree benefits; staff cited Indiana Code §5-14-1.5 (which requires offering coverage but does not require employer payment). The proposed draft would change the split and remove spouse and dependent coverage.
Commissioners expressed differing views: some preferred a phased approach, others wanted clearer language and timeline. When the motion to introduce the ordinance was called, it failed for lack of a second and "died." Commissioners instructed staff to prepare clarified ordinance language reflecting the previously discussed elements (including removing spouse coverage and confirming the 70/30 county/employee contribution where appropriate) for consideration at the next meeting.