City manager: proposed 9% increase in health premiums; short‑term disability offered as employee-paid option

City Manager (S3) told the council the city’s health‑benefits consultant projected national premium increases of 11–13%, and the city's self‑funded plan is expected to see "about a 9% increase for the city's plan." He said the 9% projection was factored into the adopted 2027 budget and that any increase would be split between employer and employee contributions.

The manager also described a proposal to make short‑term disability available as an employee‑purchased benefit with no city match. "There will be no city match or contribution at this point to short term disability, but that is something that employees can purchase," he said, and framed it as an option to support family leave needs. The council will review the health‑benefit finalization at the Sept. 15 meeting.