# **SPECIAL** Town Council Meeting  11/09/2026  3:30pm

The Town of Summerville Special Town Council meeting on November 9, 2026, focused on employee health insurance for the plan year beginning January 1, 2027. After staff reported that most insurers declined to quote because of claims experience, the Council approved staff’s recommendation to move to a Cigna group plan with a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). The plan is estimated to cost about $7.4 million annually, a 29% increase over the current plan; Cigna is providing an approximately $200,000 administrative credit. Staff said renewing the current plan would cost nearly $8 million, while a Blue Cross Blue Shield group option would cost just under $10 million. The HRA is intended to preserve employees’ effective $1,000 individual deductible and streamline reimbursements. Staff also reported nearly $1 million in savings under the current arrangement through October, while noting that an on-site clinic is not financially feasible without additional dedicated revenue.

The Council separately approved setting employee contributions for employee-plus-child, employee-plus-spouse, and family coverage at 17% of premiums. Staff estimated this would generate roughly $200,000 and increase employee payroll contributions, with the amount varying by coverage tier. The discussion noted an estimated remaining shortfall of about $275,000 before the contribution change, uncertainty about covering larger deficits, and the need to provide enrollment information promptly. No other purchasing or contract awards were identified.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Healthcare
**Published:** November 09, 2026

### Sources
- [**SPECIAL** Town Council Meeting  11/09/2026  3:30pm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkOWE2HMJSU) - TownSummSC