Council buys itself new insurance
September 30, 2008
By J.B. Wogan
In an unusual sort of unanimous action, City Council has opted to purchase dental and vision coverage with taxpayer dollars.
In order for the plans to take effect, all seven council members had to sign up for vision insurance and six had to sign up for the dental plan.
Every member of council signed up for both plans, which took effect in August.
“This is something new for our council, but this is something that other cities do sometimes provide,” explained Lyman Howard, finance director for the city.
Council members had the option of buying dental coverage from the Washington Dental Service at a cost of $57 per month as an individual, $110 per month for an individual and one dependent, or $198.90 per month for an individual and two dependents.
The vision plan costs $17.82 per month and covers the whole family.
Howard estimated the total cost to taxpayers for both plans would range up to $10,700, depending on which dental plan council members chose.
Council members voted 7-0 in favor of offering themselves the insurance coverage at their July 1 meeting.
Howard said that the state legislature made a change to its definition of compensation in 2007, allowing for city council members to take advantage of insurance benefits.
Council members make $850 per month for their work, and the mayor makes $950.
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