Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Employee Benefits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Benefits committee delays decision on 2025–26 Cleveland County health plan
Summary
The Cleveland County Employee Benefits Committee unanimously postponed action on the 2025–26 health insurance and related employer contributions on Oct. 2, 2025, citing employee concerns about short notice and coverage changes; the Budget Board has recommended the new plan to the BOCC for potential enactment Jan. 2026.
The Cleveland County Employee Benefits Committee unanimously voted Oct. 2 to postpone final decisions on the county’s 2025–26 health insurance plan and related employer contributions until members can provide more information and outreach to employees. Marilyn Williams moved to postpone the actions and Pam Howlett seconded; Shannon Lane, Pam Howlett, Marilyn Williams and Teresa Heard voted in favor.
Committee members said the Budget Board has recommended a new health plan to the Board of County Commissioners that would take effect in January 2026 if the BOCC approves it. Members noted several substantive differences between the new plan and the former HealthChoice Select option: some previously covered services — cited in discussion as spinal injections — may no longer be covered, while other preventive services would be available at no cost under the new plan.
Members and staff emphasized timing and communication concerns, saying employees need clearer comparisons of benefits and time to select new providers if coverage changes take effect. The committee also postponed decisions on employer contributions to Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts and on spouse/dependent supplemental benefits so staff can prepare additional education and clarification materials.
The committee took no further action before adjourning at 9:19 a.m. The Budget Board’s recommendation will still go to the BOCC; committee members said they expect to revisit employer contribution amounts and supplemental-benefit options at a later date once outreach materials and clarifications are available.
