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Vernal Council approves short-term disability coverage estimated at about $15,000 annually
Summary
Council approved employer-funded short-term disability covering roughly two-thirds pay after two weeks until long-term disability takes effect at 90 days; staff estimated the annual cost at roughly $15,000 for the city's approximately 90 employees.
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.
Councilmembers and department heads discussed administrative qualifications for benefits, the potential effect on employee expectations, and comparative policies used by neighboring jurisdictions; Police Chief Mike Gledhill and Public Works Director Keith Despain noted the benefit's potential value for employees with higher injury risk. Councilmember Ted Munford moved to approve the short-term disability program and Councilmember Randel Mills seconded; the motion passed in a unanimous roll call vote recorded in the minutes.
