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Delaware County keeps 2026 benefit designs despite double-digit health premium hike
Summary
Commissioners on Sept. 29 approved renewal of the county’s 2026 group health, prescription drug, dental and vision plans without design changes, while staff reported a 13.2% increase in health and prescription rates and a 5% increase in dental. A follow-up resolution on employer/employee share is planned for Thursday.
Delaware County commissioners voted unanimously on Sept. 29 to renew the county’s employee benefit plan designs for 2026, maintaining current health, prescription drug, dental and vision plan structures despite notable premium increases.
Dawn Houston, deputy administrator, recommended approval of Resolution 25-782, saying, “We’ve we’ve received a 13.2% increase in our overall rates for health and prescription drug coverage and a 5% increase for our dental coverage. Vision remains the same.” She said the county will bring a separate resolution on employer and employee cost-sharing to the board on Thursday.
Commissioners acknowledged the size of the increase and praised staff work to manage renewals. Commissioner Gary Merrill said no one was “excited about the 13% increase,” but commended staff for their efforts; Commissioner Jeff Benton encouraged employees to use wellness programs and manage health-care spending to help control future increases.
Resolution 25-782 was moved, seconded and approved by unanimous vote. The board did not change plan designs at the Sept. 29 meeting; the pending Thursday item will detail recommended employee-share adjustments or related employer contributions.
The change in rates will increase county health-care expenses for the 2026 budget; staff and commissioners noted that benefit-cost increases outpace planned employee pay raises and will require continued management and possible adjustments to contributions or cost-control strategies.
