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Crystal River officials now can get insurance

The city now is in line with state law, but the question is: Who will pay the premiums?

By RAGHURAM VADAREVU
Published August 10, 2005

CRYSTAL RIVER - Susan Kirk remembers when the City Council years ago decided to deny health insurance to council members. At the time, Kirk recalled, she thought it was wrong and, since her election to the council in 2001, she has tried to get the policy overturned.

Monday night, Kirk, armed with state law, got half of what she wanted.

The council voted 4-1 to allow members to enroll in the group health insurance that is available to city employees. Council member John Kendall voted against it.

The move brought the city in line with state law, which requires municipalities to offer group health insurance to elected officials.

But the council did not vote on whether the city would pay for a council member's enrollment. Kirk wanted the city to pay for health insurance premiums as it does for employees.

She said Tuesday that other cities and other government boards around the state pay 100 percent of premiums for both full-time employees and elected officials.

The council asked City Manager Phil Deaton to research the cost of adding a council member to the insurance.

The vote came after a lengthy debate that at times became heated.

Kendall objected to allowing council members to enroll in the health insurance program available to city employees, saying that such a practice would lead to some council members being compensated more than other council members.

Besides, he said, "I don't think we're here for the benefits."

Kendall said he already had insurance, and would not participate.

Kirk said, "All (council members) are entitled to the benefit. Whether or not they use it is up to them."

Mayor Ronald E. Kitchen Jr. said he sat on the council in the late 1990s when the council forbade members getting health benefits through the city. Kitchen said council members were considered part-time employees and therefore ineligible for the benefits.

Council member Roger B. Proffer Sr. quipped that he has to answer calls at 10 p.m. in his role on the council.

Resident Gail Jannarone said she did not mind that council members could participate in the health insurance system, but not at taxpayers' expense. Council members will have to pay the premiums on their own, she said.

"Don't ask us to do it for you," Jannarone said.

In other council news, Kirk criticized the organizers of a petition drive to force the council to hold a referendum on dissolving the city. The group recently sent residents a letter that Kirk said was full of inaccuracies.

She said the petition organizers misrepresented the savings that would come to city residents if the city was dissolved and the county government took over.

"People need to be careful about what they read," Kirk said.

Former council member Joe Chrietzberg asked at one point whether the council should spend city dollars to defend the city against the dissolution organizers.

Council members did not respond to the question, with Kirk saying her criticism of the group's letter was motivated by her desire to protect the city.

Claire Titus, one of the organizers, said Tuesday that Kirk misrepresented the letter and that the group was trying to be "positive."

She said the group is working with the Supervisor of Elections Office to vet the hundreds of signatures on the petition to make sure the people who signed the petitions are registered to vote within the city.

Raghuram Vadarevu can be reached at rvadarevu@sptimes.com or 564-3627.

[Last modified August 10, 2005, 00:37:16]