City leaders will debate this afternoon how to best deal with impending cost increases to its retiree-benefits plan.

The human-resources department will ask city commissioners to provide some guidance on a multi-year strategy to contain the rising costs of providing health coverage to retiring city employees.

Staff believes without a long-term vision, those rising costs will hinder the city’s ability to attract and retain good workers.

During the past 10 years, the city’s cost of providing medial coverage to both active and retired employees increased an average of 10% each year.

In 2009, the city’s health-insurance expenses for active employees and retirees were $13.4 million.

Contact Robin Roy at rroy@yourobserver.com.
 

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