During a recent government meeting, officials discussed a significant transition in employee health insurance providers, moving from BHS to New Directions, effective November 1. The change is expected to result in a slight increase in costs—$2.22 per employee per month with BHS compared to $2.25 with New Directions. However, the overall expenditure will decrease due to New Directions' pricing structure, which is based on the average number of employees rather than a flat rate. The new provider will also collaborate with Blue Cross Blue Shield, ensuring competitive pricing and local service.

The meeting also addressed a recent data breach incident, which involved an employee inadvertently clicking on a phishing email. Fortunately, no personal health information was compromised, and the issue was swiftly managed by Next Tech, which provided a report to the state confirming that no sensitive data was accessed. As a precaution, training sessions for supervisors on responding to such incidents are being planned.

Additionally, updates were shared regarding the Kansas Association of Counties (KAC) governing board meeting, including improvements to their member website and ongoing legislative discussions. The next KAC meeting will take place in El Dorado, with plans for the current chairperson to host next year's event.

The meeting concluded with a call for any further questions, indicating a proactive approach to both employee welfare and organizational transparency.