Town approves employee health insurance renewal as premiums rise 12.8%

The Wise Town Council on March 10 approved renewal of the Town's employee group health insurance for fiscal year 2026-2027 after hearing from Town Manager Laura Roberts that premiums will rise by 12.8%.

Town Manager Laura Roberts presented the renewal options and cost-sharing structure, and Councilmember S. Duane Phillips moved to adopt the proposal set out in a March 10, 2026 memorandum. The motion, seconded by Teresa Adkins, passed 5-0 by roll call. The renewal directs the Town to offer the Key Advantage 250 Plan and the Key Advantage Expanded Plan, fund 90% of the Key Advantage 250 Plan, and permit employees to pay to buy up to the Expanded Plan. Roberts said there would be a "12.8% increase in premiums for the new fiscal year."

The Council also approved rules for eligible enrollees: full-time employees (at least 30 hours per week) receive full employer contribution; part-time elected officials and part-time employees (20'29 hours per week) receive 50% of the full-time contribution at all membership levels; COBRA-qualified beneficiaries will pay an additional 2% administrative fee per federal law; and early retirees not eligible for Medicare were included as eligible. The motion further provided one month of coverage for surviving eligible dependents of a deceased employee or retiree to allow time for arrangements.

The approval was recorded by roll call with Mayor Caynor Smith, Jr., Laura Taylor, Teresa Adkins, Robin Dotson and S. Duane Phillips voting "Aye." The Council did not add or change the plan types or employer contribution percentages during the vote.