Updates for 2026

To: All City of Lamar Full-Time Employees
From: Human Resources
Date: October 1, 2025
Subject: 2026 Open Enrollment

Dear City of Lamar FT Employee,

It’s that time of year again!  The open enrollment period for making changes begins Monday, October 22 and ends November 3, 2025.   This year’s enrollment will be passive.  This means that your current benefit elections will stay the same unless you submit a change.

The City of Lamar  stayed in  Rate Band 1 which equals a  6.65% increase for 2026  Medical/Rx Rates.  Dental increased 8.5% and Vision approx. 3.5% (see cost comparison sheet).  The rates for Life/AD&D, Voluntary Life/AD&D, Short Term Disability , and Long Term Disability with Lincoln are in a rate guarantee and will remain the same for 2026. 

If you wish to:

1. Make no changes – complete the NO CHANGE Form and return it to HR
2. Change your medical plan tier, add or remove dependents, or waive coverage – Indicate on the Change Form that you plan to make a change.   Submit the Change Form along with an updated election form before the deadline of November 3, 2025.

Zoom Meetings with CHP

Betty Apt, our benefits administrator from the County Health Pool (CHP)  will be conducting  Zoom meetings in a group setting or pre-record the presentation for later viewing.  More information will follow.

Remember, once open enrollment closes, you may only make changes if you experience a qualified life event (marriage, birth, divorce, etc.).

Prior to the first day of open enrollment, you will receive  a Benefits Enrollment Election Report showing your current medical benefit election, (plan, tier, effective date and YTD premium contributions).  You will also receive the NO Change/Change Form.

Why?  Many of you have asked, “Which plan am I in?”  This report will give you visibility and help you decide whether you want to make a change during open enrollment.

What should you do?

Review the details and submit any changes that need to be made.  All other voluntary benefits remain unchanged unless you request otherwise.

Many of your questions can be answered at the Zoom meeting with Betty.  If you have any other questions, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Margaret Saldana, Human Resources Manager

cc:  Kristin Schwartz, City Treasurer

Betty Apt, CHP