LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – The Lima City Council has passed an ordinance granting members the option to receive health insurance through the city.
The measure passed Tuesday in a 6-1 vote, with 2nd Ward Councilman Tony Wilkerson voting against it and 5th Ward Councilman Thomas Jones abstaining. Council members now have the ability to enroll in the same health plan as city employees.
If members choose to sign up, the council’s annual budget could increase by about $8,000 for each single plan or more than $20,000 for each family plan. The city, which is self-insured, pays up to a little more than $100,000 in medical costs per person per year. At this time, only one council member has enrolled.
Councilman Derry Glenn said other cities, both larger and smaller than Lima, already provide health insurance for their council members.
“We did research and find out that we should have insurance. You know, we're self-insured. You know, we got some in place that we can go back and look at it. If things got a hand there, we'll be able to go back out and look at it,” said Glenn, 6th Ward Councilman.
City financial officials have expressed concerns about Lima’s financial outlook, citing uncertainty over state and federal funding and lower-than-expected tax revenues. Council President Jamie Dixon said the long-term impact will depend on future participation and financial stability.
“Really come down to the numbers. And right now, you know, they're estimating that it could possibly or potentially cost $800,000 but we know that as a council, there's only about one member right now that's going to receive that benefit or looking to indulge in those benefits. But in the future, we don't know, because this Council could change overnight, just like we've seen in the past. Those numbers could increase, but then it would be potentially up to that, that that tenured of council to make sure that they are still being good stewards over the taxpayers’ monies,” Dixon said.
During the last regular council meeting, Mayor Sharetta Smith spoke against the ordinance, citing the cost. She also has the power to veto the legislation approved Tuesday night.
