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Council discusses adding employee assistance program; staff to consider EAP in next budget
Summary
Council reviewed a proposal for an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering short-term counseling to employees and families; staff cited potential provider options, confidential utilization pathways and an estimated plan cost referenced in discussion (~$1,900). No formal vote was taken; council asked staff to consider the item for the upcoming budget.
Council considered an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) proposal on April 1 intended to give employees quick access to counseling and other supports. The initiative was presented by Kirk Patterley, who said materials from a provider (referred to in the meeting as BPH with the Iron Idaho company and Intermountain Homecare) were under review. Patterley said the program could cover employees and their families and suggested four to five sessions per incident as a possible benefit level.
Council discussed confidentiality and utilization; one staff member noted EAP utilization data can be confidential but that awareness is key to use. The meeting included an illustrative cost estimate: a figure discussed in context was $1,900 (the transcript records this amount in the discussion, and staff later clarified that some vendor quotes were monthly fees). Council members expressed support for including the EAP in the upcoming budget and asked staff to bring a finalized proposal, including exact pricing, utilization expectations and whether volunteers and part-time employees would be covered.
No formal vote was held on April 1. Staff will follow up with insurer/provider details and recommended coverage levels for council review in the budget process.
