July 6, 2023 Hood County Special Called Meeting

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The Hood County Commissioners Court held a special meeting on July 6, 2023, to address the 2023–2024 budget with primary focus on employee health insurance benefits. After discussing employee concerns regarding an HMO plan option and reviewing cost implications and staffing assumptions, the court approved Option One of the health insurance plan with the county covering the full premium increase for 325 employees and unanimously amended the motion to increase the deductible reimbursement threshold from $1,500 to $2,500. The court also noted that appraisal district numbers would arrive on schedule to assist with finalizing the overall budget. The meeting concluded with an executive session on personnel and real estate matters, from which no action resulted.

• Call to order and openingThe Hood County Commissioners Court special meeting was called to order at the Emergency Operations Center in Granbury with invocation and pledges.
• Executive session authorization and budget discussion openingThe court briefly addressed the legal basis for potential executive session and opened discussion on the 2023 budget with acknowledgment that progress was made but significant work remained.
• Employee insurance benefits preliminary discussionThe court discussed health insurance costs and explored the HMO option, reviewing both coverage differences and employee feedback on the plan switch.
• Employee concerns about HMO plan implementationCommissioners heard employee objections to the HMO plan centered on the requirement for a family doctor, with particular concerns about split families and dependents living outside the county.
• Comparison of county experiences and cost considerationsThe court discussed other counties' experiences switching to HMO and the trade-off between employee burden and cost savings.
• Insurance budget calculations and staffing assumptionsThe court discussed specific dollar amounts and employee counts needed for budget projection, with acknowledgment that actual staffing levels may vary.
• Appraisal district and timeline for budget finalizationThe court noted that appraisal numbers from the district would arrive on schedule, which would help finalize the budget.
• Employee count and waiver data for budgetingStaff provided specific employee numbers including those waiving medical coverage to help refine the insurance budget.
• Motion on health insurance option for 2023-2024The court formally voted on and approved Option One of the employee health insurance plan with the county paying the full premium increase based on 325 employees.
• Deductible reimbursement adjustment discussionThe court debated whether to increase the deductible reimbursement amount from $1,500 to $2,500 as the plan deductible increased from $4,000 to $5,000.
• Deductible reimbursement decision and motion amendmentThe court amended the motion to increase the deductible reimbursement threshold to $2,500, with clarification that the threshold amount stays the same but county picks up more due to higher deductible.
• Vote and passage of insurance motionThe court voted unanimously to approve the amended motion on employee health insurance for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
• Executive session and adjournmentThe court went into executive session to discuss personnel and real estate matters, returning with no action taken on those items and announcement of future meeting.