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Labette County raises insurance stop-loss, approves longevity bonus and delays Sewer District meter read
Summary
Commissioners agreed to raise the county health plan stop-loss from $50,000 to $75,000 while holding employee premiums steady, authorized a longevity bonus for the Public Works Director, and approved delaying a Sewer District #1 meter read to January because of a sprinkler-related leak (one commissioner abstained).
Labette County commissioners on Nov. 17 approved changes to employee health-plan stop-loss terms, authorized a longevity bonus for a department director, and granted a one-time exception to delay a Sewer District #1 meter read.
Representatives of the Bukaty Company, Stephen Euston and Cortny Bichelmeyer, met with commissioners to review 2026 health-insurance options. Commissioner Terry Weidert moved to increase the stop-loss level from $50,000 to $75,000 while keeping employee premium rates the same as 2025; Tom Barrett seconded and the motion passed by recorded unanimous vote.
Later in the meeting, Commissioner Tom Barrett moved and Commissioner Terry Weidert seconded a motion to enter a 15-minute executive session for consultation with County Counselor Brian K. Johnson on a matter protected by attorney–client privilege; the board recessed for that session as recorded. After returning, the board voted to authorize a longevity bonus for the Public Works Director; the motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners also considered a request to delay the water-meter read for a Sewer District #1 customer, Jeff Schibi, because a sprinkler-company error caused a November water leak. Commissioner Terry Weidert moved to allow the meter to be read in January; Tom Barrett seconded. The motion carried with two yes votes and one abstention (Vincent B. Schibi abstained).
Why this matters: Increasing stop-loss transfers more risk to the plan’s self-insured level and can affect county claims payouts; personnel bonuses and meter-read exceptions reflect routine county personnel and customer-service decisions.
Next steps: County staff will implement the stop-loss change with the insurer, process the longevity bonus through payroll, and note the delayed meter read in Sewer District records.
