The Blackshear City Council approved insurance plan changes that could save between $34,000 and $50,000 per year.
The Council took action on the item during its regular session Tuesday, March 11.
“It’s going to save the city money and keep the employees covered at the level they are at now,” said Blackshear Mayor Keith Brooks.
A late adjustment to the posted agenda for the regular meeting, Resolution 2025-4 dealt with modifications to city employee insurance plans during the yearly insurance renewal process. The primary change is how premiums are determined and coverage plans are selected. In the new arrangement, premiums are determined by the age of the employee seeking coverage with lower premiums for younger and presumably healthier employees. Once premiums have been determined, the worker then chooses their preferred plan from 78 different programs listed on an online marketplace.
“Essentially, they have an allowance for healthcare coverage,” said Blackshear Police Chief Chris Wright. “In Georgia this is the fastest rising of insurance for small businesses.”
Lighthouse Benefit Advisors of St. Simons Island remains the insurance broker of record, but the new coverage plan will be handled by a thirdparty that manages the city’s employee insurance benefits for Lighthouse.
After a brief discussion, the new group policy was unanimously approved by the council. City employees need to be enrolled in the new program by March 20.
