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Council allows certain elected officials to buy into county group health plan if they pay full premium
Summary
An ordinance was adopted permitting certain part-time elected officials to participate in county group medical, dental, and vision plans if they pay 100% of the premiums; councilors discussed legal limits about midterm compensation changes.
The Los Alamos County Council on Sept. 9 adopted an ordinance (Ordinance 02-372) that grants eligibility to certain elected officials to participate in the county's group health insurance plans provided the elected official pays 100% of the premiums for medical, dental and vision coverage.
County Manager Laurent and legal counsel told the council the measure was drafted so it would not amount to an increase in compensation during an official's current term — a change that state law and court precedent prohibit — because officials would pay the full cost of coverage. Probate Judge Perry Clark addressed the council in support, saying eligibility would help part-time elected officials obtain health benefits. Legal counsel and staff explained full-time elected positions that already receive benefits — such as the municipal court judge and county clerk — were not included because they already have access to county plans.
Councilor Hand moved adoption and Councilor Hahn seconded. The council asked staff to ensure the ordinance is published in summary form. The motion passed unanimously by roll call, 6–0, with one member absent.
Manager Laurent and counsel reiterated that the ordinance does not raise compensation midterm and that any future compensation changes for elected positions would have to comply with constitutional restrictions. The ordinance specifies that eligible elected officials would be billed for 100% of premiums if they choose to enroll; no county-funded premium contributions were authorized in the ordinance.
