Edward Jones adviser Joshua Lee told the Pryor City Council that benchmarking shows switching the city's retirement recordkeeper from Principal to Empower could reduce combined annual plan expenses from about $60,000 to roughly $26,000 and improve participant services; he asked for authorization to pursue due diligence and to serve as adviser of record if needed.

The Jones County Board of Commissioners approved a negotiated health-plan renewal for the upcoming plan year while directing staff to explore level-funded and reference-based options, tighten wellness incentives and engage department heads on employee participation. Benefits broker Jonathan Shaw outlined drivers of the county's cost increases, including five high-cost claimants and specialty drugs.