Commissioners approve $1.61M health insurance increase and $618,769 for inmate medical costs

The Rockingham County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 16 approved two appropriations intended to cover rising health‑related costs.

County manager Lance Mesler told the board the county budgets roughly $7.9 million for medical and prescription and about $570,000 for dental annually but that claim costs are trending higher than expected. He requested an increase of $1,610,000 from the health insurance fund balance to cover estimated expenditures through the fiscal year ending June 30, noting the county expects about $720,000 in current year revenues and would use approximately $890,000 of fund balance if necessary.

"I'm requesting you all increase the health insurance fund by $1,610,000 from the health insurance fund balance," Mesler said. Commissioner Hall moved to approve the request and the board approved by voice vote.

Separately, Captains Jennifer Brown and a colleague from the sheriff's office requested $618,769 from the available fund balance to cover an anticipated shortfall in the inmate medical budget for the remainder of the fiscal year. They told the board the county's contractor (Southern Health Partners) has seen higher over‑cap costs this year because multiple inmates required hospitalization and specialized care.

"We are requesting approval to appropriate available fund balance in the amount of $618,769 to cover anticipated shortfall in inmate medical budget for the remainder of this fiscal year," Captain Brown said. Commissioners asked about out‑of‑county care, Medicaid eligibility for inpatients and whether ankle‑monitoring providers could be expanded to reduce custody days; staff answered that eligibility and transfers vary by case. Commissioner Hall moved to approve the appropriation and the board approved by voice vote.