The City of El Paso desires to have a comprehensive benefit program that provides support to employees in the following areas: health and welfare, financial protection, work/life balance, and learning and development. The following is a summary of benefits and does not alter any of the plan documents.
The Director of Public Service or his/her designee is responsible for the coordination and administration of the City's benefit programs. All questions regarding benefits should be directed to the Administrative Assistant's office.
All regular full-time and certain part-time employees are eligible for benefits as detailed in this article.
Eligible employees are provided a comprehensive assortment of benefits under the City's insurance and retirement benefits program. Benefits eligibility is dependent upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to employee classification and length of service:
A. 
Group health insurance. The City maintains medical coverage for all regular full-time employees and eligible dependents, subject to the provisions outlined in the plan document. The City offers a Preferred Provider Option (PPO) plan. Employees are responsible for a portion of the deductible and monthly premium.
B. 
Life insurance. The City provides $25,000 of coverage at no cost to the employee.
C. 
Dental insurance. The City provides full coverage for all full-time regular employees and eligible dependents, subject to the provisions outlined in the plan document at no charge to the employee.
D. 
Educational assistance/professional conference and seminar attendance with paid travel expenses as approved by the Director of Public Service.
E. 
Worker's compensation insurance.
F. 
Retirement program benefits.
(1) 
All full-time regular employees shall contribute to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) according to the percentage required by law. The City of El Paso also contributes to the IMRF at the prescribed percentage set by law. For further information on this benefit, contact Human Resources. The Administrative Assistant shall be the authorized agent for IMRF.
(2) 
Upon separation from employment at the City of El Paso, application may be made to IMRF for a refund of employee contributions if the employee has not yet qualified for retirement benefits. Employees receiving a refund of their IMRF contributions are not eligible for a refund of the employer contributions. Employees should note that applicable tax laws will apply to this refund.
(3) 
If the individual becomes employed by another municipality or agency under IMRF, employee contributions are automatically transferred provided they were not previously refunded. However, employees may "buy-back" earned credit that was previously refunded according to specific instructions provided by IMRF.
G. 
COBRA.
(1) 
The Federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives employees and their qualified beneficiaries the opportunity to continue health insurance coverage under the City's health plan when a "qualifying event" occurs that results in the loss of eligibility. Some common qualifying events are resignation, termination of employment, death of an employee, a reduction in an employee's hours or a leave of absence, an employee's divorce or legal separation, and a dependent child no longer meeting eligibility requirements.
(2) 
Under COBRA, the employee or beneficiary is responsible for the total cost of coverage at the City's group rates plus an administration fee. The City provides each eligible employee with a written notice describing rights granted under COBRA when the employee becomes eligible for coverage under the City's health insurance plan. The notice contains important information about the employee's rights and obligations.
(3) 
When an employee leaves employment with the City, we will mail out materials to give notification of COBRA rights to the address we have on file. We ask that each employee also inquire with Human Resources about COBRA documentation and participation when leaving the organization. If COBRA documents are not received within two weeks, please inquire with the City Administrator's office.