County leaders look at ways to cut costs

CUMBERLAND — Allegany County officials might triple an incentive for their employees to find alternative health insurance.

County staff and commissioners discussed the issue at a preliminary fiscal 2027 budget workshop Thursday.

County-paid employee health insurance is expected to increase by roughly $1.5 million.

Currently, employees who waive county health insurance and obtain it through a family member receive a $50 per month reimbursement, Allegany County Director of Human Resources Kristi Liller said.

“We want to increase that to entice more employees to potentially go on a different plan,” she said of raising the incentive to $150 per month.

Liller said the county consulted CBIZ — which provides financial, insurance and advisory services — about handling open enrollment for employees.

The county’s current company responsible for that task seems to focus more on selling commission-based voluntary products — such as additional life insurance — than medical plans, she said.

“CBIZ can actually do our enrollments,” Liller said. “We’re confident that they would be more focused on our entire benefits package.”

MetLife, which handles the county’s group health insurance, could offer many voluntary products, plus dental insurance, at lesser costs, she said.

As part of a bundle deal, MetLife would reduce by roughly 12% the county’s employer-paid life insurance cost, Liller said.

“We think that’s a very positive package and it’s gonna help us in a lot of different ways,” she said.

Allegany County Administrator Jason Bennett said the county currently spends roughly $8 million per year on employee health insurance.

“Next year we’re looking into rebidding all of our health insurance to try to control those costs,” he said.

Deputy Director of Finance Pamela Diaz discussed the county’s anticipated income and expenses over the current budget.

Ultimately, the county is expected to come out ahead by about $3.1 million, which will likely be used to replenish money taken from reserves to balance the budget last year.

Diaz said the county’s income tax revenue is expected to increase by roughly $2 million.

“It’s really hard to determine what it’s going to be,” she said, adding that she discussed the issue with other finance directors across the county.

“They’re seeing the same thing with income tax going up.”

Although the county’s real estate tax rate will remain unchanged, higher property assessments will generate an additional $3 million for the county, Diaz said.

Over the past two years, the county froze hiring for at least 27 positions and during that time, county division leaders were asked to cut operating expenses, she said.

“Every department has just done an outstanding job again for the request for (2027),” Diaz said.

Some areas continue to experience higher costs, however, including a $500,000 increase for the county detention center due to medical contracts and “a better pension plan,” she said.

County emergency medical services also expects a roughly $500,000 jump, largely because of its takeover of the Georges Creek Ambulance Service, Diaz said.

County budget talks are expected to continue at Thursday’s commissioner work session.

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