SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KETK)-- The Smith County commissioners are making a new proposal to lighten the nearly six-and-a-half million dollar deficit in the 2026 county budget.

On Tuesday morning, Smith County commissioners added an agenda item to increase health insurance deductibles for Smith County employees. Deductibles on the county health plan will increase from $225,000 to $300,000 to offset the cost of employees' premiums.

"We don't want to put anything else on the backs of our employees," Smith County Judge Neal Franklin said. "And so that's really what we try to do, to keep the cost down for all of the employees. That's our goal, and it's a challenging one. And today I've spoken with many other judges, and they're facing the same thing."

'Gene therapy' was also added as an option

See Full Page