Sagadahoc commissioners ask staff to explore options after projected 25% health-insurance spike

County administrators told the Sagadahoc County Commissioners on March 10 that the preliminary FY27 budget includes a projected 25% rise in health-insurance costs and asked permission to explore alternative employee cost-sharing formulas.

Administrator Jill Flaherty said the county's FY27 proposal includes "the largest cost driver" of increased health-insurance expenses and that the administration is seeking ways to mitigate the impact on staff while keeping the budget balanced. "With a 25% increase, that would be about $30 a week more for a family plan," Flaherty said, describing why the administration wants to examine different percentage-sharing models rather than immediately applying personnel-policy formulas.

Commissioners asked about timing and potential effects on collective-bargaining negotiations. One commissioner warned of sending the wrong signal to employees; Flaherty and other staff emphasized the goal is to identify options that would "soften the impact" and preserve retention. Commissioners generally agreed to let staff explore three options and report back if a special meeting is needed before March 31, the end of open enrollment for the plan year beginning April 1, 2026.

The discussion clarified that the administration would return with numerical scenarios and that any change affecting negotiated shares would be handled with care to avoid derailing ongoing union talks. The meeting record shows no formal vote on a policy change; the board granted permission for further study and directed staff to report findings before the enrollment deadline.

Next steps: administration will analyze alternative cost-sharing scales, prepare projected dollar impacts for employees and the county, and report findings to the commission prior to March 31 for any necessary action.