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Traverse County approves MetLife for 2026 Paid Family Medical Leave coverage
Summary
The Traverse County Commission voted unanimously Aug. 5 to purchase Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) coverage through MetLife for 2026 after an Insurance Committee recommendation and an RFP that showed modest net savings compared with using the state program.
The Traverse County Commission voted unanimously on Aug. 5 to purchase Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) coverage through MetLife for 2026, County Coordinator Lisa Zahl told the board.
Zahl said the state-run PFML program takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, but the county issued an RFP and MetLife submitted a lower rate. According to Zahl, choosing MetLife would produce an overall savings of about $4,000 compared with the state option, minus a one-time $500 state fee; the Insurance Committee recommended accepting MetLife's bid. Commissioner Dwight Nelson moved approval; Commissioner Mark Gail seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
The board's action was recorded along with the approved vendor payments and claims for the period. County Attorney Matt Franzese also noted he will be sending ordinance-enforcement letters to property owners not complying with county upkeep rules.
The decision means county employees would work with MetLife for PFML administration in 2026 rather than using the state's administrative process. The county did not specify the exact per-employee premium in the minutes; follow-up information was not provided at the meeting.
