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Chardon approves 2026 employee insurance renewals, sets maximum city contribution
Summary
Council approved agreements to renew group medical coverage with Sigma Healthcare and ancillary benefits through Guardian, set a maximum employer contribution, and heard from broker Jim Dustin about market pressures driving a roughly 7% increase in medical premiums.
Chardon
Chardon City Council approved a package of employee-benefit measures for 2026, including: (1) Ordinance 3329 authorizing a group medical insurance agreement with Sigma Healthcare beginning Jan. 1, 2026; (2) Ordinance 3330 authorizing group dental, vision and life insurance with Guardian beginning Jan. 1, 2026; and (3) Ordinance 3331 establishing the maximum amount the city will pay toward employee medical and dental insurance.
Jim Dustin of NFP told council insurers are experiencing market pressure from high-cost medications and mispriced public-program lines, producing a challenging renewal cycle. The city's renewal with long-term provider Sigma matched a competing offer and represents a roughly 7% increase on the medical plan; the city estimates the medical renewal will increase annual costs by about $101,000 overall. Dental lines saw a modest increase (about 3% or roughly $1,700 annually), and the city will review possible voluntary benefits later in the year.
Council approved the ordinances by roll-call votes and asked management to continue to monitor markets and employee interest in voluntary coverages. Staff said ancillary voluntary options (for which employees pay the full premium) could be introduced later and would help mitigate future rate increases if uptake is sufficient.
Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 3329 (medical insurance with Sigma Healthcare): adopted by roll-call vote (recorded: unanimous yes). - Ordinance 3330 (Guardian ancillary benefits): adopted by roll-call vote (recorded: unanimous yes). - Ordinance 3331 (maximum city contribution): adopted by roll-call vote (recorded: unanimous yes).
Next steps
Staff will finalize contracts, publish terms for employees and roll out new offerings (including an optional ASPCA pet-insurance access program) for 2026 enrollment.
