City of Little Rock Agenda Board Meeting 8.11.26

The City of Little Rock held a board meeting on August 11, 2026, which included discussions on age-friendly city initiatives and a detailed presentation on the city's medical insurance plan funding options. The board reviewed the challenges of rising healthcare costs, with a current 142-150% loss ratio and projected budget overruns of $6 to $9 million for the first half of the year. Various insurance funding models were discussed, including fully insured, level funded, and self-funded plans, with emphasis on potential cost savings through self-funding, especially by carving out pharmacy benefits. The board was informed about the need to build reserves of $10 to $15 million to support a self-funded plan and the importance of analyzing claims data for better cost management. No final decisions were made, but the board was prepared for upcoming budget considerations and potential changes to insurance plans. Additionally, the meeting covered zoning changes, property demolition efforts, and community concerns related to boarded-up houses and neighborhood impacts.