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

Rockingham County commissioners on Feb. 16 voted to increase the county’s health insurance appropriation and to transfer funds to cover anticipated inmate medical costs.

County manager Lance Mesler told the board the county budgets roughly $7.9 million for medical and prescription coverage and about $570,000 for dental. Because claims are trending higher this fiscal year, he requested adding $1,610,000 from the health‑insurance fund balance to cover projected expenditures through June 30, 2026. Mesler said the request was made from the insurance fund balance and not the general‑fund balance and estimated current year revenues of roughly $720,000.

Commissioners debated whether increased claims reflect a persistent trend or one‑time anomalies. Commissioner Burger asked whether the increase is a trend; Mesler said there have been anomalies and that the county will monitor future claims. The board approved the transfer on a motion by Commissioner Hall with a second from Commissioner Richardson.

Separately, Capt. Brown of the sheriff’s office requested $618,769 from fund balance to cover an anticipated shortfall in inmate medical care for the remainder of fiscal 2025‑26. Brown said Southern Health Partners’ over‑cost pool has been higher than average due to several inmates requiring hospitalization and specialized care; some inmates require out‑of‑county medical care. Commissioners asked about cost‑recovery from other counties and Medicaid eligibility; Brown said costs involving other counties can be billed back and that Medicaid may apply under narrow criteria (for example, after 48 hours of inpatient care and subject to prior Medicaid status).

The board approved the inmate medical appropriation on a motion by Commissioner Hall, seconded by Commissioner Callum. County staff said unused funds would return to the fund balance if not spent and that standard reporting and oversight would continue.