County Employee Healthcare Cost Increases

An SEIU 521 library worker thanked the board for dropping library privatization and urged keeping public libraries public.

A county librarian and SEIU 521 member emphasized the vital lifeline rural libraries provide and urged continued public investment.

Spoke on behalf of county employees regarding unsustainable health insurance increases and cost-of-living pressures.

A probation department employee highlighted how steep healthcare cost increases will severely impact lower-paid office assistants.

An SEIU 521 member and library worker defended public libraries as a bedrock of American values supported overwhelmingly by voters.

Representing the Deputy Probation Officers Association, warned that staggering healthcare increases will drive experienced staff to leave county employment.

Executive director of Cultiva La Salud and FUSD board president urged the board to reject library privatization.

Asked why the library privatization issue keeps returning and urged the board to put it to rest permanently.

Stated that outside private entities cannot understand or fulfill the diverse needs of Fresno County library patrons.

A 24-year county employee expressed frustration over health benefit increases, noting many workers qualify for Medi-Cal due to low pay.

Urged the board to consider how supporting affordable healthcare and public libraries contributes to children's well-being.

President of Fresno District Attorney Investigators Association thanked the board for reviewing health contributions and noted severe cost impacts.

An unhoused veterans advocate testified that public libraries save lives and assist homeless veterans.

A Department of Behavioral Health employee since 2017 voiced doubts about county job sustainability amid benefit hikes.

Spoke in defense of public libraries and freedom of speech against censorship and privatization.

A 21-year county employee urged the board to invest in the public servant workforce by covering health insurance premium hikes.

A 22-year county social worker shared stories of colleagues unable to afford soaring healthcare costs for their families.

A 12-year child welfare worker and single mother spoke about the devastating impact of healthcare rises on her family budget.

A Department of Social Services worker stated he wants a career with the county but cannot afford the health insurance hikes.

A Clovis resident called in to express opposition to library privatization, praising public library services.