Vernal Council approves short-term disability coverage estimated at about $15,000 annually

The Vernal City Council voted to provide employer-funded short-term disability coverage as part of the FY2027 budget discussions. City Manager Quinn Bennion outlined a proposal under which employees would use two weeks of personal leave before short-term disability paid benefits — roughly two-thirds of salary — would begin until long-term disability coverage becomes effective at 90 days. Bennion told the council the estimated annual cost to provide the benefit for approximately ninety employees would be roughly $15,000.