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Commission approves Alternate Tier 2 health-insurance renewal for FY27; levy increase set
Summary
Park County commissioners voted to adopt an alternate Tier 2 health-insurance renewal plan for FY27 that shifts dependent cost sharing and will raise the county levy by $0.37 per $100,000 of assessed value; staff said the option increases county costs by about $43,000 unless offset by contribution adjustments.
Park County commissioners on March 10 approved an alternate Tier 2 health-insurance renewal for fiscal year 2027 and set the county contribution tied to that option.
Benefits and finance staff presented three renewal options, including the existing plan (a 0.4% decrease) and two alternate tiers that change how dependent costs are apportioned. Staff said the county currently covers a $1,500 member-only plan plus full dental and vision; under the Tier 2 option the county contribution for a full-time employee would be $1,520 per month. Finance staff said choosing Tier 2 would increase county levy collections by $0.37 per $100,000 of assessed value (for example, a $400,000 home would see a $1.48 annual levy effect) and estimated the county cost increase at about $43,000.
Commissioners and staff framed the decision as balancing affordability for employees with families against county fiscal impacts. Commissioners who supported Tier 2 described it as “family friendly” and said it could help attract younger employees to county positions; others noted that most enrolled employees carry member-only coverage and questioned shifting costs when the majority would not receive the dependent benefit.
A commissioner moved to adopt the renewal using Alternate Tier 2; the motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote. The commission then voted to approve the county contribution amount associated with that option (moved, seconded and approved by voice vote).
Staff said open enrollment will be in April, with enrollment sessions and wellness screenings scheduled at county facilities. The finance office will finalize levy calculations and implementation steps following the commission’s action.
The commission’s action changes the county’s FY27 benefit structure; implementation details and any further adjustments to the county contribution will be handled by staff in coordination with the vendor and included in next steps to administer open enrollment.
