Christian Fiscal Court approves budget on first-reading, health insurance renewal

It was a full meeting of the Christian Fiscal Court Tuesday morning, as they approved the 2026-2027 year budget on first-reading and approved recommendations regarding health insurance in the county.

First up, the $60.8 million spending plan that carries three percent raises for county employees and numerous one-time projects for county facilities and agencies, was approved by magistrates on first-reading. It will require a second-reading before coming into effect, but first, Christian County Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam says it will need reviewing and an okay from the Department of Local Government.

The $60.8 million reflects an increase from last year’s $52.7 million budget.

Then, Mack Major of Higgins Insurance got to be the bearer of good news Tuesday, something he says doesn’t happen nearly enough for his field of expertise. Thanks to claims costs trending roughly 18 percent lower than last years, a plan cost showing a one percent decrease and some surplus due to those decreases, Major says the county is looking pretty good when it comes to employee health insurance.

It was his recommendation that the county switch back to Anthem for coverage, which would result in a savings, make no changes to employee coverage and have no cost increase for employee contributions to their health insurance.

Those recommendations were approved and the Health Insurance Renewal plan for fiscal year 2026-2027 was adopted.

Magistrates also approved a payment to Bell Engineering, who provided an inspection and consultation at the historic Christian County Courthouse recently, after a piece of the ceiling collapsed recently. Judge Gilliam says that inspection determined the structural integrity of the building was good, with the crumble likely caused by the incorrect nails being used and years of wear and tear from a nearby elevator.

Fiscal Court also took a moment to recognize Jane Davis, who has been a bus driver for the Christian County Public School system for the past 50 years.