The Bourbon County Commission rescinded a prior vote on county employee health benefits and approved a revised employer‑contribution package on Nov. 17, following a detailed presentation by broker Don Doherty and public comment from county employees.

The commission’s action came after Micah Milburn Key asked the board to reopen consideration of a benefit plan it approved earlier. Milburn read constituent mail arguing the county’s 80% employer contribution for family coverage was “far out of line” with common business practice and urged defined contributions or HSA options to reduce taxpayer risk. The board voted to rescind the earlier decision and reopen discussion.

Don Doherty, representing a benefits broker working with Blue Cross, told the commission that a small percentage of employees account for most claims and that plan design affects group stability. "Twelve percent of your people had 89% of your claims," Doherty said, arguing that a defined‑contribution model and an HSA option could protect the county’s renewal profile while giving employees more choice. He presented hypotheticals showing how a $925 employee contribution (HSA enrollment) or a $1,700 defined contribution for family tiers would affect the overall premium projection and the county’s budget.

Commission debate focused on trade‑offs: some commissioners emphasized the risk that even a few employees switching from single to family coverage could “bust” the budget, while others urged offering an HSA with targeted employer contributions to steer healthy employees toward lower‑cost options. Commissioner David Birbauer underscored the budget constraint, saying the county had set an employer contribution parameter and must not exceed it.

After extended discussion and public comment (including Tanner O'Dell of Public Works, who said the previously approved plan would cost many employees about 10% of take‑home pay), the commission voted to approve the broker's "Option D" employer contribution package by majority voice vote. The motion was made by Commissioner Samuel Tran and seconded; one commissioner recorded opposition during the voice vote.

Commissioners asked staff and the broker to produce open‑enrollment materials, payroll‑deduction schedules and a handbook update to allow staff to implement the new plans before the December payroll cycle. The board also scheduled no further changes without a special meeting if additional adjustments are needed.

The vote does not finalize every detail: commissioners instructed staff to work with the broker to confirm enrollment materials and to provide final payroll and implementation steps. No changes to statutory authorities were required; the commission acted under its normal budget and personnel authorities.

What happens next: staff will finalize vendor paperwork and open‑enrollment information with the benefits broker and Blue Cross. The board scheduled opportunities for additional education and a special meeting if more time is required to process employee questions and payroll setup.