Clinton County is changing how it manages employee health insurance. On Tuesday, county commissioners appointed Gallagher Benefit Services as the county’s benefits broker, and the firm plans to move the county from a fully insured medical plan to a self-funded one starting in 2027.
Commissioners voted 3-0 on two appointment letters naming Gallagher as the county’s broker. One covers MetLife basic and voluntary life insurance, starting Jan. 1, 2027. The other covers Anthem medical, dental and vision coverage. The county’s insurance committee recommended the switch.
Commissioners also approved a three-year software agreement with no price increase, tabled a bridge project amendment and heard that state road funding fell well short of the county’s request.
Self-Funded Plan Proposed
Bill Sylvester of Gallagher Services told commissioners the proposal would move the county to a self-funded plan backed by stop-loss insurance. The second and third coverage tiers would be eliminated, putting IU Health and every other provider in tier one.
“I think we can cut your cost on … medical claims, on pharmacy claims, and have very little to no disruption to your … employees and their families,” Sylvester said.
He said most savings would come from how the county buys prescription drugs, and that the plan would not restrict the drug formulary or limit which doctors and hospitals employees can use. Dental, vision and life coverage will stay the same under an existing two-year rate hold.
An insurance committee member told the board the proposal matched the committee’s goals. “We’re trying to cut the cost to the county. We’re trying to provide better options for the employees, and it seemed to fit the bill in all those ways,” the member said.
Human Resources Director Sesaly Reifert said some employees had called worried that their coverage had ended. “We do still have insurance through Anthem through the end of ’26,” Reifert said. She said open enrollment for 2027 is expected in late November or early December.
Contracts and Job Descriptions
Commissioners approved a three-year agreement with Harris Financial for the county’s financial software maintenance. Auditor Jackie Clemens said the cost will stay at the current rate of $41,227.24 a year from 2027 through 2029.
The board also approved:
- A three-year, $6,796.92 renewal with Frontline Public Safety Solutions for central dispatch tracking software. Renee Crick said the longer term caps yearly price increases at 5% instead of 7%.
- A one-year, $5,400 Baron Threat Net weather-tracking agreement for the Emergency Management Agency.
- Three updated job descriptions. Two are in the auditor’s office, and the third is a renamed public health operations manager position. All three now go to the county council for funding.
- Ordinance 2026-07, which makes the intersection of County Road 600 South and 1100 East an all-way stop.
Bridge and Road Funding
Commissioners tabled a supplemental agreement for the Bridge 115 reconstruction project until their Nov. 17 meeting so the county attorney can review it. Consultants from Butler, Fairman and Seufert said the amendment adds no cost. It shifts existing funds to cover updated property appraisals needed because real estate values rose.
Highway Superintendent Rick Campbell said the county’s 2027 Community Crossings grant came in far below its request, partly because the state took into account other lane-mile funding the county had received. Some planned paving plans, depending on stone and oil prices, may have to be cut short.
Measles Update
Public Health Administrator Melissa Ostler told commissioners that Indiana has more than 100 measles cases across 17 counties, up from 10 counties a week earlier. “We do not have any in Clinton County,” she said. She urged residents to check their MMR vaccination status.
Ostler also reported that the Board of Health has recommended Dr. Melissa Pearson as County Health Officer for 2027. Commissioners typically vote on that at year’s end.
The next commissioners meeting is Nov. 17.