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Fulton County keeps employee health premium dollars steady for 2026; Human Services readies SNAP support amid federal shutdown risk
Summary
The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted to keep employees’ monthly health insurance contribution unchanged for 2026 — reducing employees’ percentage share from 10% to an estimated 8% — and received a Human Services update on plans to support SNAP recipients if a federal shutdown disrupts benefits.
The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted Nov. 4 to maintain employees’ monthly health insurance contribution for 2026, a move the county said will lower employees’ share of premiums from 10% to an estimated 8% because premiums increased while the monthly dollar amount for employees remains the same.
Commissioner Randy H. Bunch moved that there will be no increase to employees for health insurance rates for 2026 and authorized HR Administrator Mary Huston to execute the PCHIP/Highmark renewal documents; the motion was approved “all in favor.” County materials presented to the board show employees paid 10% of the monthly premium in 2025 and that keeping the employee dollar contribution unchanged in 2026 effectively reduces that percentage to about 8% due to the insurer’s premium change.
The vote occurred alongside the board’s second review of the 2026 budget conducted by CFO Mike Lamb of Wessel and Co. and Fiscal Administrator Sue Reed. Commissioners scheduled a follow-up meeting with department heads for Nov. 18, 2025, at which they expect to secure a verbal approval sufficient to advertise the proposed budget to the public.
Separately, Executive Development Director Julie Dovey briefed commissioners on Human Services contingency planning in the event of a federal government shutdown. Dovey said she has been coordinating with the local Food Bank and confirmed that resources will be available to county residents who could face interruptions in SNAP benefit distribution. The board entered a related executive session for personnel matters at 10:45 a.m. and exited at 11:00 a.m.
Next steps: the commissioners will meet again Nov. 18 for a budget review with department heads and the county will proceed with the PCHIP/Highmark renewal paperwork as authorized at the Nov. 4 meeting.
