Council approves employee insurance plan; debate over benefit for councilors

The Tremonton City Council adopted Resolution 25‑21 to set health‑insurance carriers and the city's contribution for fiscal year 25‑26, after staff presented plan changes and a heated policy exchange over council benefits.

City staff member Lindsay (speaker 12) told the council the single deductible for the high‑deductible plan will rise — she reported it going from $3,200 to $3,300 — dental premiums increased by about 8 percent, and the city intends to continue covering 90 percent of employee premiums under the plan presented in the packet. Lindsay noted the packet figures assume the council stipend was struck from the worksheet, but the item remained in the budget materials for the body to decide.

Council discussion centered on whether the council should continue receiving a 90 percent stipend that the city pays for employees, reduce the stipend to 80 percent or remove it entirely. "Just to save money," Lindsay said of the proposed change to council benefits when asked about the objective. Several councilors said cutting or eliminating the stipend could discourage qualified candidates from serving. "I'll be honest. I wouldn't have been here. That's been my incentive to participate," one councilor said in opposition to removing council benefits.

After debate, the council voted to leave the employee 90 percent contribution intact and unstruck the lines that would remove council eligibility; the motion to adopt Resolution 25‑21 passed with recorded aye votes.

Staff said the change in deductible and the dental increase are plan adjustments the city cannot fully control; council members directed staff to clarify any line items still shown for council stipend if they wish to reconsider in the future.