HARLINGEN — Health insurance costs are going up again at City Hall.
Earlier this week, city commissioners approved a $6.5 million employee health insurance contract that came with a $217,000 increase over the current $6.29 million policy.
During a Wednesday meeting, consultant Scott Gibbs’ PowerPoint presentation showed Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, which increased its premium by 4.4 percent, had reduced the premium’s initially-proposed renewal increase of 8.9 percent.
“I think this is a great renewal,” Mayor Chris Boswell said. “The last four years have been good in terms of minimizing increases in a volatile environment.”
Despite the 4.4 percent increase, the contract offers the city a lower health insurance premium compared to those of many cities, City Manager Dan Serna said.