(a) Health Insurance.
(1) The City shall provide a plan of group health insurance for all eligible employees of the City, and such plan shall be approved by City Council, by resolution. Dental, eye care, or other supplemental insurance may be provided under the group plan or under separate policy, as approved by Council in the resolution.
(2) The group health insurance plan may include health insurance coverage for eligible employees, their spouses and dependents.
(3) If the group health insurance plan includes health savings accounts (HSAs), the City may make pretax contributions to an employee's HSA in amounts approved by Council in the Pay Plan or by separate resolution.
(4) City Council shall have the sole authority to determine the types of health insurance benefits offered, to determine insurance carriers, to establish a program of self-insurance, or to authorize participation in an insurance pool.
(b) Insurance Premiums. The employee's share of the insurance premiums shall be paid monthly, by payroll deduction made twice a month, as follows:
(1) Employees hired prior to September 1, 2003, shall pay fifteen percent (15%) of the monthly premium(s).
(2) Employees hired on or after September 1, 2003, shall pay twenty percent (20%) of the monthly premium(s).
(3) The City shall pay no more than fifty percent (50%) of any monthly premiums for dental insurance.
(c) Compensation in Lieu of Benefits (Opt-Out Program).
(1) Council may, as a part of the Pay Plan or by separate resolution, authorize an insurance "opt-out" program that provides compensation in lieu of insurance coverage for eligible employees who voluntarily waive participation in the City's group health insurance plan by enrolling in alternate health insurance coverage.
(2) In the event spouses or a parent and eligible dependent are both employed by the City, if the spouses, or parent and eligible dependent, are enrolled on the City's group health insurance plan, neither spouse, nor the parent or dependent child, shall be eligible for participation in any opt-out program.
(d) Working Dependent Surcharge. Council may, as a part of the Pay Plan or by separate resolution, authorize a working dependent surcharge program for employees who have a dependent (spouse or child) who has access to health insurance coverage through the dependent's employer. The amount of such surcharge shall be deducted from the employee's paycheck biweekly or as otherwise required.
(e) Personnel Policy. The Administrative Steering Committee shall establish and maintain a policy or policies in the City's Personnel Policy Manual regarding eligibility for and participation in the group health insurance plan approved by the City Council, as well as any authorized opt-out program, working dependent surcharge program, voluntary insurance program, and any other related matters.
(f) City Council Members. Members of the City Council, including the Mayor, may participate in the City's group health insurance plan, subject to the same eligibility and participation requirements for City employees as set forth in the City's Personnel Policy Manual; provided, however, that the Council member's share of the insurance premiums shall be one hundred percent (100%) of such premiums to be paid monthly, by payroll deduction.
(Ord. 2022-13. Adopted 05/26/22)