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Los Alamos council allows certain elected officials to enroll in county health plans if they pay full premium
Summary
The council adopted an ordinance permitting certain part-time elected officials to participate in the county’s group health, dental and vision plans provided the official pays 100% of premiums; passage was unanimous (6-0) with one absent.
Los Alamos County Council on Sept. 9 adopted an ordinance adding a provision to county code allowing certain elected officials to enroll in the county’s group medical, dental and vision plans so long as the official pays 100% of the premiums.
The change, introduced following a request from the probate judge, does not increase compensation or require public funds for premiums, county staff said. Manager Laurent told the council the ordinance “allows their eligibility to join in on the county health benefits, but it has to be paid for, by the elected officials.”
Probate Judge Perry Clark, who raised the issue earlier in the process, said he brought the matter forward to address what he described as an unresolved legal question about the county’s form of government and its authority to act. “By allowing this, which I thank you for very much to have health insurance that I pay a 100% out of my pocket for,” Clark told the council, while urging additional legal analysis on home-rule authority in later discussions.
Councilors discussed whether the ordinance would apply to current officeholders and were advised by legal counsel that the change would take effect after the current term so it would not constitute an increase in compensation during an official’s term. Councilor Hahn moved adoption; the motion carried on roll call 6-0 with one member absent.
The ordinance will take effect 30 days after passage, and staff were asked to publish a summary of the ordinance for public notice.
