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County approves 2026 employee benefits renewal, expects single-digit increase
Summary
Brown & Brown presented Lincoln County's 2026 benefits renewal with a 6.95% overall increase; commissioners approved the renewal. The employer portion is estimated to rise about $112,000 and employees' contributions about $36,000–$37,000.
Scott Johnson of Brown & Brown reviewed Lincoln County's 2026 employee benefits renewal, reporting year-to-date claims through August 2025, plan performance and proposed rate changes.
Johnson said the plan’s loss ratio through August was approximately 93.1% and that enrollment stood at about 105–107 employees. He characterized the overall renewal as below current industry trend and reported an overall renewal of 6.95%. "That 6.95% increase is just under $150,000," Johnson said, explaining that the employer (county) share of the increase is roughly $112,000 and employee-paid increases total about $36,000–$37,000.
Johnson reviewed plan-design items and carrier updates: HealthPartners remains the medical carrier, Delta Dental of South Dakota proposed a 4.7% dental increase under its rate-stability program, EyeMed vision rates are locked through 2028, and certain voluntary lines have one-year rate locks. He also described minor deductible adjustments for the high-deductible health plan driven by IRS rules on embedded deductibles.
Commissioners asked about competitiveness with neighboring Minnehaha County and whether the county should market the plan; Johnson said the county’s total compensation package remains competitive and that the county did not market the medical plan this year because the renewal was favorable. A member of the public suggested an open market comparison; Johnson said the county pursues market checks when unfavorable renewals arise.
The commission moved to approve the 2026 benefits package as presented; the motion passed on roll call. Staff will implement the renewal and provide cost details to employees as required.
