MonticelloLive

A standing room only crowd, appearing to all be city employees (or family member of employees) attended the Monticello City Council’s special called session Wednesday night.

The meeting was held to discuss and decide which health insurance plan to choose, and how (or whether) the city will continue to provide health insurance for families of employees.

All members of the council were present for the meeting except for Alderperson Carolyn Brown.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Joe Rogers, who allowed the city’s department heads to speak to the council in reference to insurance coverage.

Fire Chief, Steven Faulkner, spoke first, discussing the financial burden that would be incurred by employees, if the city didn’t provide insurance for it’s workers and their families.

City Police Chief Robert Rosegrant covered the importance that the current benefit package has played in maintaining qualified employees.  Rosegrant also pointed out that many other law enforcement agencies in our area have severe turnover problems, and have to send new, uncertified officers to ALETA (police academy) for training, only to have to replace them after a year of service.  This training costs approximately $7,000 per officer.

Parks department head, Ricky Calhoun, agreed with Rosegrant, saying ”The money may not be that good, but the benefit package encourages employees to stay for longer.”

Cindy Fakouri pointed out that many of the departments have not replaced employees, and have made other cut-backs, which should help the city continue to provide benefits, such as insurance coverage.

When asked by the council, Fakouri, who’s job deals with city finances, said that she felt the city “would be able to continue to provide the cost of family member’s insurance, for the upcoming year.”  Throughout the meeting, no one made a commitment to continue this benefit permanently, by mentioning that this topic will probably be discussed yearly, and handled each year, depending on availability of funds.

Comments during the discussion included Ms. Fakouri telling the council that the current coverage, which began in 1991, currently increases premiums twice per year.

Alderman Raymond Hubbard’s comments included, “The reason that the premiums have increased, is because the costs have increased.”  Hubbard later stated, “These people are making pretty good money.”  “I remember when city employees were making $2,000 (per year).”

Council member Tim Chase remembered that the 2007 budget didn’t include any raises, due to the increased cost of insurance, last year.

The “loudest” comment seemed to be made by the fact that there were over 50 people attending.  Aside from the press and council, everyone there seemed to have their health insurance “hanging in the balance”.