Commissioners ratify stop‑loss renewal after brief vote; benefits trust short of recommended target

The Natrona County Board of Commissioners ratified staff's recommendation to accept a stop‑loss renewal quote at a 25.9% premium increase, after a brief motion and roll‑call vote on Tuesday.

HR staff told commissioners the county solicited multiple quotes and that the chosen option had no "lasering" (special exclusions) and represented the most favorable overall terms. "It was cheaper to go with the 25.9%" option, HR reported during the meeting.

Commissioner motion, a second and a roll call followed; a single vote in opposition was recorded before the chair declared the item ratified.

At the same time, staff updated the board on the county's benefits trust balance. As of May 29 the account stood at $2,533,181. An actuarial quick‑look suggested a $3.5 million target would be appropriate to support a 45–60 day run‑out in a worst‑case claims scenario. The clerk indicated a budget transfer from hospital fund interest is expected that would bring the trust closer to the target (staff estimated roughly a $1 million transfer but said exact figures were still being finalized).

Commissioners discussed the fiscal and communications implications and asked that a memo summarizing the decision and rationale be placed in the file. Staff said they would circulate the documentation to the board.

The vote and funding update will be reflected in the June meeting minutes and the benefit office will return with any finalized transfer documentation and the stop‑loss policy forms.