CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – To mixed reactions among commissioners, the Montgomery County Commission on Monday night considered a resolution to give itself the same health insurance benefits as full-time county employees.

The proposal, put forward by Commissioner Jason Knight, would give county commissioners the same health coverage benefits that full-time county employees receive. That is, 85% coverage of health insurance costs, with the elected official paying the remaining 15%. This would amount to $2,000 to $3,000 per month for a family, or $1,300 for an individual.

“Our constituents expect us to be healthy and ready to represent them,” Knight said during the meeting. “Having that option available is important to ensure the health and well-being of commissioners so they can continue to serve their constituents.”

In the resolution, Knight states that “the inclusion of medical and health benefits would be an incentive for qualified persons to seek the office of the Montgomery County Commission.” Knight presented a survey that showed several counties across Tennessee offer similar benefits for their county commissioners.

Montgomery County commissioners can already take part in the county health plan, but only at 100%, Commissioner David Harper pointed out. He stated that because he himself is already signed on for the 100% plan – paying $20,334 per year – he would be abstaining from the vote.

The changes would not effect until Sept. 1, 2026. Commissioner David Shelton emphasized this, saying that the commissioners would not necessarily be voting for this benefit for themselves, but for future commissioners.

When asked, County Director of Accounts and Budgets Jeff Taylor gave a total on what the change would cost Montgomery County taxpayers. If all 21 commissioners took advantage of the benefit, it would cost the county from $154,602 per year for the individual plans to $362,966 per year for the family plans. After the meeting, Taylor noted that those totals would be unlikely. Many commissioners are on Medicare or have access to a variety of other health care plans.

Objections to the idea

Commissioner John Gannon took issue with the proposal, pointing out that the commission was giving itself a benefit that it stripped from its own part-time employees just five years ago. Part-time county employees are no longer eligible for any health insurance. It used to be offered to them at 25% of cost.

“Zero part-time employees get health care,” Gannon said. “Zero. Nothing. And I don’t consider us (commissioners) full-time.”

Gannon said that, on average, county commissioners are paid $8,000 a year. Giving them access to a family plan amounts to a 250% increase in pay. “I can’t support that,” he said.

Commissioner Billy Frye said you could make an argument for subsidizing health insurance for “just about anybody.” “There’s just no end to where that goes,” Frye said. “And I don’t think we should sit here and say we should give this benefit to ourselves when our part-time employees don’t have it. That doesn’t seem equitable.”

The County Commission will vote at their formal meeting on Monday, Oct. 9, at 6 p.m. at the County Courthouse.

Correction: The figures in the second paragraph should have been listed as “per month.” The article has been updated. 

DON’T MISS A STORY: Sign up for our free daily email newsletter. To get breaking news alerts on your phone, text the word NEWS to 43414.