With a bad year for claims and the base rate of all the Wellmark pools going up, City Administrator Brent Hinson says the cost for health insurance for city employees is rising. Wellmark came back with a 22.75% increase on the city’s plan. That equates to about a $74,000 increase for the city. Hinson added the plan the city has is “grand-mothered” and staff looked for ways to lower the impact of the increase without sacrificing benefits. Last year they had a decrease just over six percent. To save money the city will self-insure for a little bit less, knocking it down to about a 13.5% increase. For employees it means they’re taking on more cost. The employees’ out of pocket max right now for single is $1,000 and $2,000 for family plans, that will double next year.