Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Employee Benefits Supplement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Proposal to raise dependent supplement to $4,500 fails amid cost concerns
Summary
A motion to raise the countys dependent coverage supplement to $4,500 and approve a broader benefits package failed on Sept. 29 after board members expressed concern about budget exposure and short timing since the last increase.
A proposal to raise Cleveland Countys dependent coverage supplement to $4,500 and approve a package of benefit enhancements was defeated by the Budget Board on Sept. 29. Commissioner Rod Cleveland moved to approve the proposed 2025–2026 Employee Benefits Plan— including a $4,500 dependent supplement, continued FSA/HSA contributions, and a new $250 FSA employer contribution conditional on employee participation—but the motion failed after several members voted no or abstained.
Commissioner Cleveland described the supplements recent history (it started at $2,500 about a decade ago and rose to $3,600 earlier this year) and estimated the $900 increase would cost the county about $100,000 assuming current participation of roughly 22%. Board members objected that about 80% of employees would not benefit from the supplement, that dependent enrollment could grow and drive costs to 30%–50% participation, and that it was premature to increase the supplement before analyzing the savings from switching insurance providers. The motion failed (Cleveland yes; multiple members no; two abstained). The board directed staff to return with detailed fiscal impact data and to hold a special meeting to reconsider the package after updated projections are available.
