Council authorizes manager to negotiate with Alliant for city employee benefits broker

The Nacogdoches City Council voted to allow the city manager to negotiate with Alliant Insurance Services to serve as the city’s benefits broker following an HR recommendation.

Britney Tucker, the city’s HR director, told the council that the city issued a request for qualifications for benefits-broker services, received eight responses, interviewed five finalists and used a review committee of three HR staff and two finance members to evaluate proposals. Tucker said the committee ultimately recommended Alliant based on its public-sector experience, customer-service capabilities and references showing claims-handling support.

Tucker said the city had not gone through this RFQ process in many years — "probably back into the eighties or so" — and that Alliant is based in Houston and will provide both vendor procurement support and employee-facing customer service, including assistance with claims and enrollment. Tucker added the firm offers technology tools to support employees’ access to benefits information.

The chair moved to authorize the city manager to begin negotiations with Alliant Insurance Services; a council member seconded the motion and the council voted 'Aye'. The chair announced the motion carried.

Council members asked clarifying questions about the evaluation process and the services Alliant would provide; HR staff said the recommendation prioritized both cost oversight and customer service for city employees. The motion authorizes negotiations and does not itself finalize a contract; a subsequent contract approval would return to council for formal action if required.