Reed City Council approves new employee health plan, authorizes 240-hour payout and awards 2026–2028 solid waste contract

Reed City — The Reed City Council unanimously approved three routine items at a special meeting Dec. 18, voting to change the city’s employee health insurance provider, authorize a vacation payout, and approve a multi-year solid waste contract.

Council member Trevor Guiles moved to switch the city’s employee health insurance from Blue Cross Blue Shield to Priority Health; Council member Nicole Woodside seconded and the motion carried on a roll-call vote with Mayor Roger Meinert and council members Woodside, Charles Lupo, Nate Bailey, Guiles, James Anderlohr and Brad Nixon voting yes.

In a separate vote, Council member James Anderlohr moved and Council member Charles Lupo seconded a motion to authorize payment of 240 hours of unused vacation to employee Rich Rehkopf, citing the employee’s inability to take the time due to ongoing city improvement grant projects. The motion carried unanimously with the roll-call vote recorded as Nixon, Meinert, Guiles, Anderlohr, Bailey, Lupo and Woodside in favor.

The council also approved a 2026–2028 solid waste contract with Sam’s Disposal, with motions to approve the contract (including changes discussed at the meeting) moved by Anderlohr and seconded by Nate Bailey. The council authorized Mayor Roger Meinert and City Clerk Chastity Eads to sign the contract. The roll-call vote recorded Lupo, Meinert, Woodside, Nixon, Bailey and Anderlohr as voting yes; Council member Trevor Guiles was noted as absent for that vote.

City Manager Rich Saladin was in attendance for the meeting. The session, opened with the pledge of allegiance, was called to order at 5:30 p.m. at Reed City Hall and adjourned at 5:48 p.m.

No additional discussion, public comment, or dissent is recorded in the meeting minutes for the items approved.