Council approves MOU to move police from stipend to city health insurance; FY2027 cost estimated at about $43,000

The Boulder City Council voted to approve a memorandum of understanding and authorizing resolution that allows the city to move police employees from a stipend arrangement to participation in the city’s health‑insurance plan.

City Manager Ned Thomas said the change came out of the collective‑bargaining process and would align police employees’ insurance with other city staff. Thomas said article 16 of the collective bargaining agreement required modification to implement the insurance enrollment and that the change could take effect July 1, 2026. He told the council the fiscal impact to the city is an increase of approximately $43,000 in FY2027; Thomas described the increase as nominal relative to the city’s overall budget.

Councilmember discussion confirmed the $43,000 figure represents the increase (not the total premium cost) and that insurance costs will be subject to the usual annual fluctuations. A motion to approve Resolution 8137 carried by voice vote.

Why it matters: the measure converts a prior stipend approach to formal insurance coverage for police employees, changing how health benefits are administered and creating a modest additional budget cost that will be incorporated into FY2027 planning.

Next steps: staff will implement the administrative steps for open enrollment and update the collective bargaining documentation as required by NRS 288.153, which requires public meeting approval of new or modified agreements.