Due to rising operation costs the Houston County Commission voted Monday to cancel the long term health insurance used by the county’s employees.

The county has picked up the tab for the benefit for some time; however officials say the price of nearly $200,000 a year is too high.

According to some county officials, workers would rather have the money than the healthcare benefit.

Chairman Mark Culver said the county plans on giving more than a 2 percent cost of living adjustment to county workers.