South Summit COG adopts 2026 operations budget, five‑year capital plan and renews employee health insurance

The South Summit Council of Governments on Dec. 11 approved the 2026 annual operations budget, adopted its five‑year capital plan and authorized renewal of employee health insurance with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The chair introduced Resolution 2025‑006 to adopt the 2026 operations budget and invited dispatch manager Leslie Hayman to summarize changes. Hayman said the budget adds line items for an externally contracted treasurer and secretary and for bond insurance, and that contract and phone‑service costs account for notable increases in the operations line. She cited the operations total as $365,883 and said she aimed to tighten personnel estimates where possible.

Hayman told the council that the five‑year capital plan includes two remaining payments for Motorola radio consoles (about $23,700), planned replacement of computers ($2,000 each) and occasional replacement of backup consoles (roughly $11,000 each), and that $38,700 was budgeted for 2026 capital items.

On employee benefits, Hayman said the broker NFP negotiated with Anthem from an initial quoted increase of about 17% down to 6.99%, and she recommended accepting the renewal given the COG’s small group size ("there's only 16 of us actually in the health care"). Vision costs were unchanged and dental coverage was moved to a separate ASME dental plan.

Council members asked for a final budget once new account numbers are created for treasurer, secretary, bond insurance and contracted services. The chair called roll for each resolution and announced the measures approved.

What happens next: staff will prepare a final, account‑coded budget for distribution and the COG will proceed with the broker‑recommended health plan renewal. The council also asked staff to report the COG’s reserve balance at the next meeting to inform capital planning.