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Ross Township staff flag near‑10% health‑care premium increase as trustees set budget‑hearing dates
Summary
Fiscal Officer Julie Joy Smith told trustees the township had estimated a 10% rise in health‑care costs but was notified of a 9.4% increase; trustees agreed to schedule December budget hearings and asked administration to model deductible and cost‑benefit options.
Ross Township’s fiscal officer informed trustees that the township’s initial planning estimate for 2025 health‑care premiums was 10%, and the township has been notified the actual increase will be about 9.4%. Trustees discussed the need to review deductibles and cost‑sharing options before finalizing the 2025 budget.
Julie Joy Smith, the township’s fiscal officer, presented October financial reports and said revenues are exceeding conservative budget expectations. She reported that the township has updated budget worksheets to include the new worst‑case estimate for health‑care costs and noted an unexpected increase in the dental premium.
Trustees asked staff to weigh the cost‑benefit of accepting higher premium brackets against higher deductible options and to bring clearer options to a forthcoming work session or the December meeting. Proposed budget‑hearing options discussed included holding hearings across two evenings, with possible dates cited as Dec. 18, 19 and 20 and the option to start at 4:00 p.m. to accommodate department heads.
The board requested administration advertise the hearings once dates are finalized so the public has an opportunity to review departmental budgets. Trustees also indicated they preferred to have department heads scheduled in two‑department blocks to streamline the hearings.
Next procedural step: administration to finalize dates with department heads, update budget materials to reflect the 9.4% health‑care premium estimate, and present options for deductible and plan design at the next work session or the December meeting.
