County employees urge supervisors to increase county share of health premiums as costs rise

Several county employees addressed the Sutter County Board of Supervisors during public comment to urge support for higher county contributions to health insurance and a fair bargaining outcome.

Melissa Jenkins, a 10-year employee in Health and Human Services, said state and federal budget changes will significantly affect professional employee bargaining units and asked the board to “agree to a fair contract that includes an increase to the county share of our 2026 health insurance premiums,” noting a projected 20% premium increase. Jenkins described the likely effect on co-workers who may be unable to afford higher premiums and might seek employment elsewhere.

A Sutter County Public Health employee identified as Robert gave a line-by-line example of local monthly costs (rent, utilities, food, childcare) and contrasted them with take-home pay for a $22-per-hour worker, arguing county salaries and benefit contributions lag local cost-of-living increases. Another frontline worker in child welfare (Heather) urged supervisors to spend time with staff in psych units and outreach teams to understand the risks and resource needs and to negotiate fairly with the union bargaining team.

Board members thanked speakers and acknowledged the concerns; the comments were taken under advisement as part of the county’s ongoing labor and budget discussions. Veronica Baumgartner, HR director, later presented a separate personnel item recommending an advanced-step placement for a deputy CAO to address recruitment and retention challenges.