City discusses $1M plan for discounted health coverage for police and fire services

The DeKalb County ERPS Committee meeting on April 15, 2025, focused on employee benefits, particularly for police and fire personnel. A significant discussion centered around the cost and structure of health insurance plans available to these employees.

The committee revealed that the total cost for three health coverage options is approximately one million dollars. Employees can choose the lowest cost plan, known as the Health Savings Account (HSA) plan, which has no premium. For those opting for higher-cost plans, such as the Point of Service (POS) or Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, employees will only need to pay the difference in cost compared to the HSA plan. This structure provides a heavily discounted deal for police officers, which is seen as a crucial step in retaining and attracting talent within the department.

Additionally, the committee acknowledged the importance of similar benefits for fire personnel and E911 staff, emphasizing the need to support all first responders in their challenging roles. The discussions highlighted a commitment to enhancing employee retention across these critical services in DeKalb County.

Overall, the meeting underscored the county's focus on providing competitive benefits to ensure the well-being of its public safety employees.