Wheatland: No to health benefits for dependents of police officers [Appeal-Democrat, Marysville, Calif.]

Aug. 15--Wheatland police officers won't receive health benefits for their dependents, the City Council determined this week in a public impasse hearing.

The council voted unanimously on Tuesday to give four officers in the Wheatland Police Officers Association a 2.4 percent cost-of-living increase, but declined to expand health insurance coverage.

The public hearing was held after an impasse was declared in negotiations between the city and its police officers association.

Though the cost-of-living increase was identified as an impasse issue, the focus of the hearing centered mainly on coverage for dependents. Currently, the city pays for all of employee premiums, but not any of the costs for dependents.

Jamie Knacke, representing the Police Officers Association, said the desire for full dependent coverage has been dropped. Instead, she said the association is seeking $650 a month in city coverage rather than the about $300 a month currently paid for by the city.

City Manager Steve Wright did not recommend the increase, noting budget uncertainties that include the effect of the federal Affordable Care Act on city finances.

"I would love to hand you over a full benefit package," Mayor Rick West said. "All of us are very much in favor of improving the financial standing of our employees. But we have to do it in a measured manner."

The cost to the city of the 2.4 percent cost-of-living increase is about $6,000 a year, Wright said.

CONTACT reporter Eric Vodden at 749-4769.

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