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Del Norte board adopts OPEB policy; union leader urges caution on cost-sharing language
Summary
Supervisors adopted a county OPEB (Other Post Employment Benefits) management policy after public comment from the Del Norte County Employees Association, which warned that any employee cost-sharing measures must be negotiated and cautioned about impacts on retiree premiums.
The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt an OPEB (Other Post Employment Benefits) management policy intended to outline how the county manages retiree healthcare liabilities. Norma Williams, chapter president of the Del Norte County Employees Association, told the board she reviewed the draft and warned that language referencing employee cost sharing signals an intent that must be bargained with union groups.
"If you're going to be looking at wanting to negotiate a percentage for retirees to contribute, you're definitely going to need to negotiate that," Williams said, urging the board to engage bargaining units before implementing any changes that would affect retiree premiums.
County staff and a board representative said the policy is overarching and that any specific changes affecting employees or retirees would be subject to negotiation with bargaining units. The board moved to approve the policy; the roll-call vote was Supervisor Valerie Starkey—Yes; Supervisor Dean Wilson—Yes; Chair Borges—Yes.
The board and staff agreed the policy establishes a framework to address unfunded liabilities and that specific employee-impacting measures will require further negotiation.
