The board voted Oct. 16 to approve a 3% premium increase for all four medical plans and a 19.5% increase for the district dental plan, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Member Bernard introduced the recommendation from the health and wellness committee and said the committee viewed the small medical increase as a prudent, preemptive adjustment despite the medical plans ending 2025 in surplus. "There's a flat 3% as mentioned recommended across the 4 medical plans," a committee member said in the meeting summary. The dental plan increase responded to a decade without a premium adjustment and the committee's underwriting review.

Member Bernard and the administration noted that the committee considered actuarial performance, consultant guidance and anticipated inflationary pressures in recommending the increases. The motion passed by roll-call vote with all board members recorded as voting "Aye." The administration plans to implement the rate changes on the standard insurance cycle and will provide staff communication and enrollment materials to employees prior to Jan. 1, 2026.

Clarifying details: committee materials presented at the meeting indicated the dental plan's premium had not increased in over 10 years; the 19.5% increase was recommended by Assurant/Gallagher (consultant) and approved by the board.