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Home My WebLink About2026/07/07 Workshop Session 1:30 PMBRAZOS COUNTY BRYAN, TEXAS NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA WORKSHOP SESSION BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED BY VIDEO CONFERENCE WITH AT LEAST A QUORUM OF COMMISSIONERS COURT MEMBERS PARTICIPATING IN PERSON AT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 551.127 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL MEET IN A WORKSHOP SESSION AS FOLLOWS: MEETING DATE MEETING TIME: MEETING PLACE 1. Call to Order 2. Discussion Items July 7, 2026 1:30 PM Brazos County Administration Building, 200 South Texas Ave., Suite 106, Bryan, TX, 77803 A. Discussion regarding Insurance Premiums and County Contribution B. Discussion of the FY 2026-2027 County Budget 3. Adjourn The following minutes of the Workshop held July 7, 2026, have been examined and are approved in open Court this the 18th day of August 2026, in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas. Duane Peters Bentley Nettles County Judge Commissioner, Precinct 1 Cbuc�a Commissioner, Precinct 2 Wanda J. Wat on Commissione ecinct 4 Attest: Karen McQueen County Clerk Fred Brown Commissioner, Precinct 3 MINUTES J U LY 77 2026 BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT WORKSHOP SESSION Call to Order A Workshop Session of the Commissioners' Court of Brazos County, Texas was held in Suite 106 of the Brazos County Commissioners Courtroom in the Administration Building, 200 South Texas Avenue, in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, beginning at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 with the following members of the Court present: Duane Peters, County Judge, Presiding; Bentley Nettles, Commissioner of Precinct 1; Chuck Konderla, Commissioner of Precinct 2; Fred Brown, Commissioner of Precinct 3, Absent; Wanda J. Watson, Commissioner of Precinct 4; Karen McQueen, County Clerk. The attached sheets contain the names of the citizens and officials that were in attendance. 2. Discussion Items A. Discussion regarding Insurance Premiums and County Contribution Judge Peters provided an overview for the workshop and invited Jennifer Salazar, Director of Human Resources, to the podium. Ms. Salazar reviewed the County's employee benefits program, noting that the medical plan remains competitive and that employee premiums have remained unchanged for several years despite rising healthcare costs. The Court was advised that the plan is performing well; however, projected healthcare inflation for 2027 will require additional funding. Ms. Salazar reviewed four premium funding options for the Court's consideration, each representing a different balance between County contributions and employee premium increases. • Option 1: Employees absorb 100 percent of the increase. • Option 2: Shared 11.25 percent increase for County and Employees. • Option 3: Employees increase of 5 percent, and County covers the remainder. • Option 4: County absorbs 100 percent of the increase. Ms. Salazar noted the need to balance employee affordability, fiscal responsibility, and the long-term sustainability of the health plan before asking the Court for direction. The Court confirmed that employee health insurance premiums have remained unchanged since 2023, following a decrease that year, while the County's contribution has increased periodically. Court members discussed the four premium options and generally agreed that options requiring either employees or the County to absorb the full increase were not sustainable. Discussion focused on Options 2 and 3, with several members expressing support for Option 3 as a balanced approach that limits the employee premium increase while recognizing the County's fiscal constraints. Budget Officer Nina Payne recommended Option 3 to help preserve the health and life insurance fund balance, noting that future adjustments may be necessary. Following discussion, the Court reached consensus to direct staff to proceed with Option 3. Ms. Salazar provided a copy of her presentation; it has been made a part of the legal minutes. B. Discussion of the FY 2026-2027 County Budget The Court briefly discussed the FY 2026-2027 County budget, emphasizing the need for long-term financial planning and sustainability in light of anticipated fiscal challenges and potential legislative impacts. 3. Adjourn The Workshop was adjourned at 1:48 p.m. BRAZOS COUNTY Pg�-of COMMISSIONER'S COURT DAY OF J�� ,20,2(Q AW WofU�Q Name: i�h\;�e fie.-tens-�nr.wn. �V: tL, µ c Gka� I eS Alfk/(�/'\ � S�aLew �j P ccA r M�� S &cc (Ccy Organization (Please print) &0 CC f� b,"M Chu Q a ,r i'" 6 (� 6 13L4d(We + BRAZOS COUNTY Pg of COMMISSIONER'S COURT DAY OF 7.,k t , 20 z � 13 AM/J§�) t�. �a rfL 5L, Name: (Please print) W M - CA"I LS I,lk ,. Organization (Please print) cS,-o PuMrl��si v�l .L F"c-" Se ru%Ce_s DI, y=0 LI r'�eer BRAZOS COUNTY Pg�- °-(�- COMMISSIONER'S COURT DAY OF I3D AMC Name: (Please print) ICJ% Si/Co�-slai L� I's t-,� M c- a .-J OA Al 2 I �ir15i �ae� V � II L�ras�` Organization (Please print) Fftci- C,w%w,u- #-z— Ze�-rfr reAs 2027 Insurance Workshop Where We Stand Today A STRONG FOUNDATION ALREADY IN PLACE @• Comprehensive PPO Plan Broad provider access, low deductibles, predictable copays CHALLENGES FACING EVERY EMPLOYER L Rising Medical Inflation Higher costs across nearly every category of care Qig% Strong Rx Coverage Prescription benefits that hold up well against the market �m Increased Utilization More healthcare services used than in prior years Q Competitive Plan Richer than many comparable employers in several areas 9to Specialty Drug Costs Rx costs climbing, led by specialty medications 0' More High -Cost Claims A growing number of large claims driving spend How We've Managed Healthcare Costs Employee premiums have remained unchanged for several years. The County continues to pay the majority of premium costs. Benefits have remained comprehensive and competitive. The plan continues to perform well despite rising healthcare costs. OPTION 1 OF 4 Employees Absorb 100% of the Increase The County's contribution stays at current levels; employees absorb the full projected premium increase. TALKING POINTS No additional cost to the County beyond its current contribution Employees absorb the full increase from the projected renewal Brazos County still pays the majority of premium in every tier Least financial impact to the County; largest impact to employees MONTHLY EMPLOYEE -PAID PREMIUM BY TIER Employee Only $63 $115.50 Employee + Spouse $511 $938 Employee + Children $339 $623 Employee + Family $711 $1,305.50 OPTION 2 OF 4 Shared Increase The projected increase is shared proportionally between the County and employees. TALKING POINTS Both employee premiums and the County's contribution rise proportionally Financial responsibility for rising costs is shared, not placed on one party Employees see an increase, but less than under Option 1 The County increases its annual investment in employee benefits MONTHLY EMPLOYEE -PAID PREMIUM BY TIER Employee Only $63 $70 Employee + Spouse $511 $568 Employee + Children $339 $377 Employee + Family $711 $790 Employees Increase 5%; County Covers the Remainder Employee premium increases are capped at 5% with the County absorbing the rest of the renewal increase. TALKING POINTS Employees receive a more modest premium increase The County assumes the majority of the renewal increase Reduces financial impact on employees while acknowledging rising costs A balanced approach between affordability and fiscal responsibility MONTHLY EMPLOYEE -PAID PREMIUM BY TIER Employee Only $63 $66 Employee + Spouse $511 $536 Employee + Children $339 $356 Employee + Family $711 $746 10112noWENSID County Absorbs 100% of the Increase The County funds the full cost of the projected renewal; employee premiums remain unchanged. TALKING POINTS Employee premiums remain unchanged for another year The County funds the full cost of the projected renewal Largest additional investment by the County Raises long-term sustainability questions MONTHLY EMPLOYEE -PAID PREMIUM BY TIER Employee Only $63 $63 Employee + Spouse $511 $511 Employee + Children $339 $339 Employee + Family $711 $711 The Four Options 4) Employees Absorb 100% of the Increase Shared Increase — 11.25% Proportionally Employees Increase 5%; County Covers the Remainder County Absorbs 100% of the Increase