Explanation
The creation of the classification of Chief Plans Official is scheduled to be acted upon by the Civil Service Commission at its meeting on November 28, 2005. This ordinance establishes the pay grade for the classification if it is passsed by the Commission at its November meeting. The recommended pay grade is 95 which is comparable to other classifications of similar responsibility.
Secondly, the City will be offering pre-paid legal services to employees on a voluntary basis, and this ordinance will establish the authorization for a payroll deduction for such benefit.
Emergency action is requested in order to facilitate the appointment of a Chief Plans Official.
Title
To amend Ordinance No. 2944-1999, as amended, by enacting Section 5(E)-C073, the classification of Chief Plans Official; to amend Section 16(G) to provide for a payroll deduction for voluntary pre-paid legal services; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the creation of the classification of Chief Plans Official will be considered by the Civil Service Commission on November 28, 2005; and
WHEREAS, provided that the Commission takes action to create the classification, this ordinance recommends the assignment of a pay grade to the classification of Chief Plans Official; and
WHEREAS, a payroll deduction for a voluntary pre-paid legal services plan is being established for such benefit; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City in that it is immediately necessary to amend the Management Compensation Plan thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, Therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. To amend Ordinance No. 2944-1999, as amended, by enacting Section 5(E)-C073 to read as follows:
Ord. Class
Sec. Code Class Title Pay Grade
5(E)-C073 1052 Chief Plans Official 95
Section 2. To amend Ordinance No. 2944-1999, as amended, by amending Section 16(G) to read as follows:
(G) Premium Co-Payment. Employees are charged a monthly premium for participating in the City's insurance programs. The current monthly premium is an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the insurance base, but no more than twenty-six ($26.00) for single coverage and sixty-eight dollars ($68.00) for family coverage beginning with the payperiod that includes April 1, 2004; an amount equal to nine percent (9%) of the insurance base beginning with the payperiod that includes January 1, 2006, for single and family coverage. The insurance base shall be the total actual cost to the City of the claims and administrative fees for medical, dental, vision and prescription drugs for employees for the preceding twelve (12) month period of February 1 through January 31. Such premiums shall be paid through an automatic payroll deduction; half of the monthly premium will be deducted each pay period not to exceed the total monthly premium.
Employees are eligible to pre-tax insurance premiums through the City's Pre-tax Plan Administrator.
The City will continue to maintain an IRC Section 125 Plan whereby employees will be able to pay for their share of health and hospitalization insurance premiums with pre-tax earnings. This plan will remain in effect so long as it continues to be permitted by the Internal Revenue Code.
Providing the employee continues monthly premium coverage payments, insurance coverage for which the employee is eligible, will be extended ninety (90) days beyond the end of the month during which an employee's approved leave without pay or leave of absence status became effective. The employee's insurance will then be terminated with an option to participate in the City's insurance continuation program, COBRA, at the employee's expense.
Such premiums shall be paid through an automatic payroll deduction.
The City may afford employees the opportunity to participate in a voluntary pre-paid legal services plan payable through payroll deduction.
Section 2. That existing Section 16(G) of ORdinance No. 2944-1999, as amended, is hereby repealed.
Section 3. For the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.