County HR reports new benefits, digital onboarding savings and $175,000 returned to general fund

Director Bennett delivered a year-end human resources report highlighting new benefits, process changes and cost savings.

Bennett said the county added a hearing benefit, a prescription-savings program and premium vision coverage in 2025, and instituted health savings account (HSA) contributions. "We set a goal to have 24 people included in the HSA program and we exceeded that. We actually have 53," she said.

The HR director said the county reduced application processing time from 20'2 minutes to less than a minute through digital onboarding, which Bennett credited for an increase in applicants. She highlighted internal process changes that reduced the department's spend this fiscal year and allowed the return of approximately $175,000 to the general fund. "We only spend about 74% of our budget, which means that we got to return 175,000 back to general fund," Bennett said.

Bennett also described a new employee-recognition program, a county awards process that drew more than 435 votes, and plans to roll out UKG (human-resources software) in April pending testing. She told the committee the county currently employs close to 700 people.

Justices asked about step-plan timing for public defenders and other employees; Bennett explained how anniversary dates and step placement affect pay increases and said staff will follow up with the defender's office to confirm timing.

The committee thanked Bennett for the report; no action was taken beyond requests for clarification on the step-plan implementation.