Special Commissioners Court - 06-23-2026

The Aransas County Commissioners' Court held a special meeting on June 23, 2026, primarily to discuss and approve the renewal and amendment of the county's health insurance plans through the Texas Association of Counties Health and Employee Benefits Pool. The court reviewed various plan options, including the current base and buyup plans and an alternative Blue Essentials Network (BEN) plan, which functions similarly to an HMO with no out-of-network coverage and requires referrals for specialists. The discussion focused on balancing the rising costs, including a projected 15% increase in premiums, with the impact on employees, particularly regarding deductible and co-pay increases. After considering several options, the court voted to approve option two for both the base and buyup plans, which includes a $2,500 deductible for the base plan and a $1,500 deductible for the buyup plan, resulting in an estimated $180,000 increase in county costs. The motion passed with a majority vote, and the county judge was authorized to sign the renewal agreement. No changes were made to dental, vision, or life insurance rates.