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Council approves interlocal agreement to provide critical illness coverage for police and firefighters
Summary
Council approved staff’s request to negotiate an interlocal agreement with the Texas Municipal League to provide coverage for certain cancers, heart attacks and strokes occurring within three years post-retirement for qualifying police and firefighters; staff said the change follows a new state law effective January.
Carrie Solens, the city’s HR assistant director, explained that staff is negotiating an interlocal agreement with the Texas Municipal League to provide critical illness benefits for police and firefighters, covering certain qualifying cancers, heart attack and stroke that occur within three years after retirement. Solens said the program would apply to employer groups with a minimum of 50 employees and that the change responds to a state law that took effect in January requiring coverage for qualifying conditions.
The Fire Chief (speaker 11) emphasized cancer as the driving concern behind the policy change, describing efforts within the department to reduce carcinogen exposure — including on-scene decontamination, second sets of gear and rotation practices — and voiced support for the supplemental coverage as a way to reduce the city’s budgetary exposure. Council moved to approve item 18 as presented by staff and voted in favor.
Solens and the chief said the coverage is intended to complement the city’s existing benefits and limit direct budget impact; Solens framed the interlocal agreement as a mechanism to pool risk and provide the required benefits without expanding the city’s long-term liabilities. The council asked for continued coordination with HR and the fire department on implementation details and eligibility criteria.
