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Retirees and family members urge Conway council to address health‑insurance cuts dating to 2008
Summary
Several retired Conway public‑safety employees and a daughter of a retiree told the council that a 2008 decision has cut their retiree insurance and asked for a council response; speakers said they received certified letters in June and asked council to restore or explain the change.
Three retirees and a family member used the city’s public‑input period on Sept. 15 to press the Conway City Council for answers about a change to retired employees’ health insurance that they say traces to a 2008 decision.
Jimmy Hammond, who identified his address as 1515 Churchill Drive, and other former city employees said they have not received substantive communication from the city for 106 days since receiving certified letters in June describing changes to their insurance. Hammond said multiple former public‑safety employees and long‑service staff were affected and asked council to meet them and explain the action.
“My wife and I and the other retirees are on a fixed income,” Lynn Hammond told council. “We need the opportunity to voice what is happening to their insurance. Why 17 years later you act upon this?”
Allison Hudson, who said she is the daughter of one of the retirees, described the family consequences: “The men and women who served this city for many years are now being forced to make choices no retiree should make between medical care, prescriptions, and basic needs.” She urged council to stand by her father and other retirees and said the change had eroded trust.
Mayor Pro Tem William Goldfinch acknowledged the public frustration and said staff and council had set a meeting in motion to review the history of the matter, noting that most current staff and council members were not in place in 2008. “Part of the frustration is that none of us were here in 02/2008 ... When it comes to not getting back to you or not communicating, it’s a lack of understanding. And that’s something that we’ve got to understand for ourselves first,” he said, asking for patience while staff prepares a briefing for council.
No formal action was taken during public input. Council members reminded speakers that public input is not a back‑and‑forth forum, but Mayor Pro Tem Goldfinch said staff will review the matter and meet with retirees to provide context and history.
Clarifying details and items for follow‑up cited by speakers and staff:
- Speakers said they received certified letters in June notifying them of the insurance change; one commenter said the lapse in response has been 106 days.
- Speakers traced the policy change to a vote or decision in February 2008 but said they were not informed in advance of the recent change and are seeking explanation and resolution.
- Mayor Pro Tem Goldfinch said a meeting has been scheduled so council and staff can review records and the 2008 decision; no date for a public briefing was given at the meeting.
Speakers
- Jimmy Hammond — identified himself as a retiree, 1515 Churchill Drive (Citizen) - Lynn Hammond — spouse and retiree advocate (Citizen) - Allison Hudson — daughter of a retiree (Citizen) - William Goldfinch — Mayor Pro Tem (City official)
Next steps
Council directed staff to assemble the historical record on the insurance matter and to meet with retirees to explain findings; no formal motion or vote was recorded on the matter at this meeting.
