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.