The Lubbock City Council approved Oct. 28 a two‑year employee assistance program (EAP) contract with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Counseling Center.

Human Resources staff said the RFP attracted six respondents and TTUHSC ranked highest. The final guaranteed rate is $2.07 per covered employee per month for two years; staff reported that applying that rate to 2,476 employees yields a monthly cost of $5,125.32 and an annual cost of about $61,503. Staff said this rate represents about an 8.6% reduction from the prior term and that overall EAP usage rose about 33% over four fiscal years.

Councilman Glasheen asked about the monthly and annual cost and the services included; staff said the EAP covers counseling for employees and dependents and substance‑use services and that the city has provided an EAP since at least 2016. Council approved the contract by voice vote.