Wood County commissioners discussed employee health insurance at length in a budget workshop Tuesday.

No decisions were made, but commissioners were presented options to help alleviate some of the projected 21% cost increase if no changes are made to the plan.

County Judge Kevin White informed commissioners that they will be asked to approve a budget transfer at the next meeting of $700,000 to cover the shortfall in the insurance account.

Among the proposals was a plan to change networks, which will lower the county’s anticipated cost increase from $345,000 to around $100,000.

White also explained the number of man hours he, Auditor Terri Sellars and human resources manager Kathy Lutonsky are having to spend on insurance matters.

He asked the insurance representatives to see what the cost might be for the county to go into the insurance market and get bids rather than continue to be self-funded.

He specifically wanted to know what that cost would be to employees.

Among the recommendations was to go with a three-tiered plan which would allow employees to “buy up” or pay more for a better plan than the basic one, or go to a high deductible health savings account plan.

The basic plan, which the county provides at no cost to employees, will be undergoing significant changes to keep it in line with current costs.

Commissioners are set to continue budget discussions on Monday at 9 a.m., when they plan to review requests for additional personnel.

One of those requests came from District Clerk Suzy Wright, who requested an additional staffer to help address additional reporting court case requirements and a backlog of files that must be updated to meet those requirements.

The is a November 2025 deadline to meet the reporting requirements.