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City staff report possible workers' comp savings and review body‑cam grant match options
Summary
Staff said the city's experience rating for workers' compensation is below 1, allowing private-market quotes that could save several thousand dollars per quarter; staff also said prior body-worn camera grants used a 1-for-1 match and may allow in‑kind staff time for the local match, to be clarified for council.
City staff told the Cooper Committee they are exploring alternatives for workers' compensation and will convene a small committee to review health insurance coverage options.
A staff member (Speaker 7) said an initial comparison with the state fund suggests potential savings: "That would save us several thousand dollars a quarter on premiums just based on the current year." The staff member also reported the city’s experience rating is below 1, which enables the city to seek quotes in the private market rather than relying solely on the state fund.
On health insurance, staff proposed forming a committee including one management representative, one council member and bargaining-unit representatives (police dispatch, fire and public works) to review options; staff said hard quote numbers are likely to be available around April. The staff member encouraged any council volunteers to join the panel.
Separately, the committee discussed a body-worn camera grant and local match. Staff said prior cycles treated the match as 1-for-1 and allowed in‑kind contributions such as staff time to meet the match; staff will confirm current-match rules and bring details to the council before applying.
Committee members asked for follow-up information and staff said they would return with quotes and confirmed match rules later this year.
