(A) Eligibility. To be eligible for the voluntary retirement program a person must be a current full-time city employee, excluding sworn Police Officers and Fire Fighters who currently possesses:
(1) 65 years of age and 10 years of city service;
(2) 60 years of age and 15 years of city service; or
(3) Rule of "85" employees as defined by the Public Employees Retirement Fund (PERF).
(B) Program benefits. Eligible employees as defined above who voluntarily elect to retire, and register for this program by September 30, 2022, and actually complete the retirement process before December 30, 2022. Eligible employees will have until September 30, 2022 to decide to accept the program, and rejection of the program shall not entitle the eligible employee to these offered benefits at any future time. Once an employee retires under this program, such employee shall not be eligible for employment as a full- time employee of the city, but may work in a contract capacity if necessary. Funding for the 2022 voluntary retirement program will come from the department budget funds. Participating eligible employees shall be entitled to receive:
(1) A 1-time voluntary retirement program award of $1,000 for each year of employment completed prior to retirement with the city. (For example, 10 years of service would equal $10,000).
(2) Continued insurance coverages as a retiree under the city if currently covered under the city’s plan. Such retiree status would require the city insurance to be secondary insurance subordinate to Medicare, spousal coverage or subordinate to other employers if and when the eligible employee finds other employment that provides health insurance. Employee classes covered under third party plans are not eligible for retiree health insurance coverage from the city.
(3) Eligible employees electing to participate in this program will be required to sign a Release, Waiver and Voluntary Retirement Program Agreement. The waiver and agreement will advise the employee of the rights and responsibilities under the program and advise them to seek independent legal counsel prior to the signing of the document.
(Ord. 8880, passed 9-24-2007; Am. Ord. 8942, passed 7-28-2008; Am. Ord. 9016, passed 8-10-2009; Am. Ord. 9073, passed 8-9-2010; Am. Ord. 9107, passed 8-8-2011; Am. Ord. 9124, passed 12-19-2011; Am. Ord. 9305, passed 7-13-2015; Am. Ord. 9390, passed 10-11-2017; Am. Ord. 9562, passed 9-12-2022)