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Health insurance increase could add roughly $230,000–$500,000 to Northumberland budgets, officials say
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Summary
Committee members told the Joint Finance Committee that a 13% health insurance increase would cost the county about $230,000 and that combined county‑school impacts could approach $500,000; staff will present updated budget figures and insurance options at upcoming meetings.
Committee members warned March 5 that rising health insurance costs could meaningfully change FY27 budget planning for Northumberland County and the school division.
Chairman James W. Brann said a 13% premium increase would cost the county an additional $230,000. Finance Facilitator Dr. Karen Pica said her 10% scenario added about $226,000 (her calculation). School Board Chair Dr. Dave Curran told the committee that the school division and county currently participate in the same insurance group and that if the school were to leave that pool it could reduce the number of participants and raise costs for the county.
Superintendent Dr. Karen Leslie said she prepared documentation on health insurance options for the School Board’s upcoming Monday meeting. Dr. Pica said the school budget has already been updated once and that further savings and health‑insurance adjustments are expected; final budget figures are due by April 2, 2026. Co-Chair John Kost and other members discussed exploring multi‑jurisdictional consortium purchasing (Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula) and outreach to brokers and associations, including suggestions to consult Pierce Group and the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo).
No formal decision was recorded; staff said they will continue analysis and present final numbers to the Board of Supervisors when available.