Aurora to pay about same for employee benefits in 2023

AURORA – The city expects to pay about the same amount in 2023 as it will in 2022 for its self-funded employee medical, dental and prescription drugs insurance program.

During a very short Council meeting Oct. 10, members OK'd an ordinance authorizing the mayor to sign a contract with three providers to administer the program through Dec. 31, 2023.

The firms are United Medical Resources as third party medical claims administrator, Sun Life Financial as medical stop loss insurer and the United Health Care network. The city's benefits broker is USI.

The cost is not expected to exceed $3.61 million based upon the maximum self-insurance amount of $85,000 per covered individual, with a total expected annual cost of just over $3 million. One hundred twenty-two employees are eligible for coverage.

Personnel director/chief of staff Karen Pope said the carriers "are still giving us the best rates." Sun Life's increase is 8 percent ($44,786), or about 4 percent below the average boost, but the rate includes the additional voluntary Health Navigator program.

"Sun Life has done a great job for us," said Pope, adding UMR's rates for the third year of a three-year contract will remain constant. UMR is kicking in a $10,000 wellness credit, which will be applied upon proof of employee wellness activities.

"Basically, our 2023 costs will be similar to what our 2022 costs will end up," she summarized.

OTHER BUSINESS

Council OK'd a three-year contract with Right Stuff Software Corp. not to exceed $24,900 for licensing, support, maintenance and hosting of the police department's web-based scheduling software system.

Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin will submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission's capital improvement and/or local transportation improvement program for resurfacing West Pioneer Trail from Bissell Road to Route 82.

It was noted if funding is awarded, the state would pay half the cost for the resurfacing and drainage work, while the city would pay the other half.

A conditional zoning certificate was OK'd for comparable use at a property at 10 S. Chillicothe Road. The action means when Sutton Insurance moves out of the building and a new business moves in, the upstairs can be used as a residential rental.

Council also amended the codified ordinances to allow conducting of public meetings via teleconference and/or video conference in emergency situations and OK'd the current replacement pages of city ordinances as prepared by Walter H. Dane Co. and hiring of Bryan Harvey as a part-time parks maintenance worker.

A handful of agenda items went to their next readings, including allowing the parks-rec department to sell two no longer needed pieces of equipment on govdeals.com.

Also moving on were acceptance of a formula for distribution of Local Government Fund money by Portage County, a $33,312 contract with Hejuk-Cox & Associates to create updated legal descriptions and a map for all zoning districts and a lease with Karen Stacko and Thomas Maracz for the former Miller property on Page Road.

Womer Benjamin reported leaf collection was slated to begin Oct. 17 and will run through mid-December, while cemetery cleanup will be Oct. 20-21. Decorations should be removed from graves prior to Oct. 20 and can be returned after Oct. 21.

The final brush pickup of the year will start Oct. 24, a trunk or treat event will be Oct. 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Hartman property on Townline Road and the city will partner with the Rotary Club to rake leaves for senior citizens and disabled persons Nov. 5.

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