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Hays County court votes to end appraisal districteligibility for county health plan, effective Oct. 1, 2026
Summary
After debate over escalating claims costs, the Hays County Commissioners Court voted to terminate the Hays County Central Appraisal District—ligibility to participate in the county—mployee health plan effective Oct. 1, 2026; Judge Becerra voted no.
The Hays County Commissioners Court voted to end the Hays County Central Appraisal District—andidate—ligibility to participate in the county health plan, setting Oct. 1, 2026 as the effective date.
County staff told the court that, in 2025, claims tied to the appraisal district totaled just under $730,000 and that the district—ontributed roughly $12,000 in administrative fees while imposing materially higher claim costs on the county—und. A county benefits staffer summarized the fiscal calculation and urged commissioners to consider moving the CAD employees to a state-administered plan or otherwise separate coverage.
Why it mattered: Officials said the county is self-insured and that continuing to include the CAD in the county plan required higher premiums for county employees. Supporters of the change argued the move would be fiscally responsible to county staff and taxpayers; opponents said the CAD performs a government function and deserves careful transition support.
During the discussion Judge Becerra warned that pulling the CAD from the county plan could "pull the rug out from under them," and urged more study and assistance: "I think this is a premature decision," he said, urging the court to help the CAD explore alternative coverage first. County staff replied the earliest practical effective date aligned with the county fiscal year and would allow transition support.
The vote: Commissioners Inglesby, Smith, Cohen and Hammer voted yes; Judge Becerra registered a no vote. The motion, moved and seconded on the record, carried. The court directed staff to offer transition assistance and to work with the CAD to evaluate joining a state system.
Next steps: Staff and the district attorney—ivil division were authorized to implement the change and to help the CAD navigate alternatives. The court set Oct. 1, 2026 as the effective date to align with the county fiscal year.
Attribution: Quotes and policy descriptions come from statements on the record; votes and timing are recorded in the court roll call.
