Last Updated on September 28, 2016 by cassnetwork
Logansport city employees will be asked to pay more for their health insurance next year, but will earn more to cover the costs if a recommendation made Monday is approved by the full city council.
In a committee meeting, five of the seven council members agreed on a recommendation for a 2 percent raise for appointed city officials to move forward for a vote prior to the budget deadline later this year. Elected officials will not receive a pay increase.
“Despite tight budget conditions for us, Clerk-Treasurer Stacy Cox, Council President Teresa Popejoy and myself have actively pursued a new health insurance agreement that will result in potential cost savings to the city and employees through use of a local clinic,” Mayor Dave Kitchell said. “We are exploring a joint cost saving with county government and our intent is that both city and county government will realize some cost savings.”
The clinic would be similar to those already offered through county government and the Logansport Community School Corporation. Coverage would allow employees to have some prescription medications paid for them that currently are paid for out of pocket. Clinic visits and all lab draws also would be free. Employees will be able to retain their personal physician and be treated at Logansport Memorial Hospital.
Kitchell said that based on the salary analysis of the six next Indiana cities most comparable to Logansport in population, the current mayor’s salary approved last year by the previous city council is above the average for those cities while the salary approved for the clerk-treasurer is below average. The cities are Shelbyville, Vincennes, Seymour, Huntington, New Castle and Frankfort.
Five firms submitted proposals for the city health insurance coverage. The firm chosen was Apex, which currently provides health insurance to the county.
SOURCE: News release from Logansport Mayor Dave Kitchell