Jerry Helmers was elected chair and the board selected Jeff Loring as vice chair during Osceola County supervisors’ organizational meeting. Members approved the agenda and minutes, confirmed committee appointments and endorsed a county wellness program that officials said produced a five‑percent insurance discount and saved "$41,779.50 by participating and having employees participate," according to a board member.

The leadership changes were moved and seconded from the floor. Speaker 2 moved to elect "Jerry Helmers" as chair and DeBoer voiced support; the motion passed with members signaling "aye." A subsequent motion named Jeff Loring as vice chair; one line in the transcript also renders that name as "Jeff Martin," and the board recorded approval by voice vote.

The board voted to approve a wellness program agreement through the county’s insurance provider, which participants said yields a 5% discount on premiums. "We saved the county saved $41,779.50 by participating and having employees participate," said Board member (Speaker 3) while introducing the item. The board approved the agreement without additional amendment.

Members also reviewed and approved committee assignments, discussing several technical edits: designating who serves as ADA coordinator (a procedural item the board noted may move with the chair), confirming the Mental Health Coalition position (typically quarterly), and removing or replacing defunct groups such as Care Connections where appropriate.

On a separate motion the board authorized formal oversight for a Home and Community‑Based Services five‑bed home at 509 Elm Drive. According to the discussion, the home has been operating since 2019 but the county could not locate paperwork; the motion was made to formalize approval for a facility that exceeds a four‑bed threshold for county oversight.

Other business included scheduling notes (a SAC board meeting Jan. 21 and a public health meeting at the hospital, with Dr. Stirk as chair) and budget planning guidance. Staff were advised to consider placing agencies’ requested amounts in the preliminary budget and reconcile them later. One supervisor proposed a 0% raise for supervisors as an item for consideration; no formal action on pay was taken. The meeting also included discussion of the county’s lack of an explicit handbook policy on closing the courthouse for snow days and potential liability concerns if members of the public or staff are injured while traveling to or leaving county facilities.

Votes at a glance
- Elect chair: Motion to elect Jerry Helmers — approved (voice vote).
- Select vice chair: Motion to select Jeff Loring (transcript also references 'Jeff Martin') — approved (voice vote).
- Approve agenda and minutes (12/23/2025) — approved.
- Approve wellness program agreement — approved; board member cited $41,779.50 in savings.
- Approve committee assignments and appointment items — approved.
- Authorize oversight for HCBS five‑bed home at 509 Elm Drive — approved.
- Motion to adjourn — approved.

The board adjourned after approving routine organizational items; no additional dates for this board were set during the meeting beyond the schedule items discussed.