Council approves citywide EAP and hires retiring detective as in‑house wellness coordinator

The Madison City Council voted to approve a two-part employee wellness program on March 30, authorizing a citywide contract with Behavioral Health Systems and hiring retiring Detective Stacy Thomas as an in‑house wellness coordinator.

Human Resources staff told the council the Behavioral Health Systems contract would provide up to 10 counseling sessions per employee and dependent, management education, and case‑management services for an estimated cost of about $10,000 per year for three years. HR also proposed a one‑year, $38,000 contract to employ Detective Stacy Thomas after her retirement to provide first‑responder wellness checks, group therapy, critical-incident response and referral support for police, firefighters and dispatchers. HR said it had sought and received preapproval from the Retirement Systems of Alabama and the state ethics commission for the post‑retirement hire and described the plan as a pilot to be evaluated for future extension.

The decision followed public comment both in support and with concerns. Joanne Holman, a licensed professional counselor, urged the council to approve the EAP, saying on‑site programs increase access to mental‑health care and boost morale. Another speaker raised questions about the scope of the contract, whether confidential information could be shared with supervisors, and the $38,000 coordinator fee, asking whether the arrangement could create a conflict of interest. HR staff responded in the meeting that the county retirement and ethics bodies had preapproved the arrangement and outlined a one‑month break between retirement and rehiring to comply with retirement rules.

Council discussion emphasized support for first responders and interest in expanding program access for retirees in the future. Council members voted on the resolutions in two separate motions recorded by name as present and voting in the affirmative. The council approved both items and directed staff to start implementation in June and to monitor expenditures and program activity.

The pilot includes two distinct components: an external EAP contract for all city employees, and an internal wellness coordinator role focused on first responders. City staff said the EAP will also provide legal, financial and elder‑care guidance as part of the benefits package. The council scheduled no additional votes on the item at the meeting; staff will prepare implementation materials for employees and evaluate the program before seeking any extension.