Council withdraws vote on health coverage for part-time officials, sends proposal to human resources committee

Lima City Council withdrew a motion to adopt an ordinance that would make certain medical insurance premiums available to part‑time elected officials and instead referred the measure to the human resources committee.

Councilor Thompson, who moved the ordinance (202‑25), withdrew the adoption motion after the administration and several council members raised fiscal and policy concerns. Mayor Smith told the council the administration opposed the ordinance because the city is self‑insured, currently under a hiring freeze and faces uncertain state and federal fiscal pressures that could affect the 2026 budget. The administration said extending full health‑insurance eligibility to part‑time elected officials would create an ongoing, unpredictable liability for the city’s self‑insured plan.

Councilor Wilkerson said he would vote no, citing the appearance of elected officials voting to grant benefits to themselves without broader public review. Councilor Glenn defended the proposal, saying councilors perform duties beyond what their stipend reflects and described the change as a “small token.” Councilor Thompson said the proposal should be discussed in more detail, including budgetary implications and workforce perceptions.

Following discussion, the mover withdrew the adoption motion and Councilor Gordon moved — and the council approved — sending Ordinance 202‑25 to the human resources committee for further discussion. The council did not adopt the ordinance at this meeting.

Ending: Committee review will determine whether a revised proposal returns to the full council; the clerk and committee chair were asked to schedule the item for further consideration.