The Town of Sellersburg Town Council on Nov. 24 approved a 2026 employee benefits package presented by Carrie Baker.

Baker told the council dental and vision plans will remain the same for 2026. She said the town’s basic life insurance rate will increase from $0.31 to $0.33 per $1,000 of coverage, which she described as amounting to about $38 more per month (as stated in the presentation). Baker also said an initial insurer renewal quote that translated to roughly a 14% increase — or about $100,000 more per year — was negotiated down to an estimated $25,000 net increase for the full year, with the increase split between the town and employees.

Baker explained the town’s HRA design and most co-pay and out-of-pocket provisions will remain unchanged, and she reviewed voluntary supplemental options (hospital indemnity, critical illness, accidental death) that the town would not subsidize. She said if at least 20% of employees enroll in the voluntary bundle, the overall premiums would drop by an additional 0.5 percentage point.

Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about which items would change and whether the package was a cost-of-living adjustment or plan design change. After discussion, Councilmember Matt moved and Councilmember Scott seconded the motion to approve the package; the council approved the motion by voice vote.

The council indicated a formal adoption vote on the salary ordinance and related budget matters would be considered separately at upcoming meetings.