(a) Any officer or employee who is regularly scheduled to work, on average, at least thirty (30) hours per work week, in accordance with the Affordable Care Act, and whose pay is fixed on a bi-weekly basis and who is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME, IAFF, or F.O.P., upon request of such employee, shall be furnished and afforded the protection of the City health benefit plan for such employee and the members of the immediate family thereof no sooner than the first day of the month following their initial date of employment with the City of Sandusky. Employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement shall be eligible for coverage equal to the coverage provided to the City's existing bargaining units. Notwithstanding the preceding language, the City may offer alternative health care coverage programs. The costs, contribution rates, and/or the terms and conditions of said alternative programs shall be at the discretion of the City Manager and may be subject to change prior to the open enrollment period for the subsequent year’s coverage. Employees eligible for City health benefits and not covered by a collective bargaining agreement may opt into alternative health care coverage programs, if available, during the open enrollment period.
(b) For an employee eligible for City health benefits and not covered by a collective bargaining agreement, a bi-weekly contribution shall be withheld from the employee for coverage. The costs of such deductions shall be set by the City Manager annually. These deductions are withheld before taxes are calculated.
(c) The City Manager and the Finance Director are authorized to contract for health insurance coverage with firms or organizations licensed to provide insurance coverages within the State.
(d) The City Manager and the Finance Director are authorized to contract with firms or organizations licensed to provide pre-tax options for employee out-ofpocket expenses associated with health insurance programs. Employees are afforded the option of participating in such programs.
(e) The City Manager and the Finance Director are authorized to provide life insurance coverage as part of the health benefit package. Life insurance in addition to that provided by the City may be obtained by individual employees with the total cost paid by the employee.
(f) To be qualified for health insurance coverage pursuant to this section, an employee shall be on active pay status as part of the first working day of each calendar month during which coverage is to be provided. In the event an otherwise qualified employee is not on active status of the same, the City shall reimburse the employee for the health insurance premium which he or she has paid to maintain health insurance coverage during such calendar month.
(Ord. 22-110. Passed 6-13-22.)