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Athens Council OKs 2026 health plan design and approves higher property/liability premiums
Summary
Council authorized the City Manager to sign 2026 employee health and ancillary benefit contracts with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Standard Insurance and approved property/liability/worker's compensation proposals that show a 14.5% increase in property/liability costs year-over-year.
Athens city officials on Oct. 27 authorized new contracts for employee health and ancillary benefits for plan year 2026 and approved renewed property, liability and workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
HR Director Shawn Ruff introduced the item and Jeff Summers of Gallagher Benefit Services reviewed plan comparisons and claims history, noting there were four claims exceeding $25,000. The council authorized the City Manager to enter into agreements continuing Blue Cross Blue Shield as the city’s base medical plan (MTBCB528) with a buy-up option (MTBCP528), moving dental coverage to Blue Cross Blue Shield (DTNHR33), and retaining Standard Insurance for vision and other ancillary benefits. The motion, made by Mayor Aaron Smith and seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem SyTanna Freeman, carried unanimously.
On property and liability coverage, staff presented proposals including cyber coverage. The city’s comparison showed property and liability costs rising from $254,742 in 2025 to $291,608 in 2026 — a 14.5% increase — while aviation insurance rates were reported unchanged. Councilwoman Katha Lawyer moved to approve the insurance proposals and authorize the City Manager to enter agreements; the motion passed unanimously.
Staff did not present detailed premium-by-policy spreadsheets during the meeting; implementation steps include executing provider contracts and coordinating employee enrollment with HR.
