HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Every day, Harris County says it spends $1. 2 million to keep health insurance completely free for nearly 46,000 employees and retirees.

While surrounding local governments and private companies typically ask employees to split healthcare costs with employers, taxpayers continue to pay for base healthcare plans for Harris County employees.

It's an employee benefit that has doubled in price over the last decade, creating a "unique" financial challenge as the county faces a $181 million deficit and a potential 10% property tax hike to help balance the budget.