Resolution 354-2003
Board of County Commissioners
RESOLUTION NO. 354 -2003
A RESOLUTION CANCELLING RESOLUTION NO. 154-2003 AND AMENDING
RETIREMENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE
COVERAGE FOR MONROE COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
WHEREAS, group health insurance expenses have been steadily increasing; and
WHEREAS, the number of retired County employees continues to increase dramatically
each year; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners to
allow County employees, including employees of the Constitutional Officers and the Mosquito
Control Board, who meet the criteria established in this resolution to retire through the Florida
Retirement System and maintain their group health insurance benefits with Monroe County as
provided herein; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Section 1.
A. (i) Employees in FRS Regular and Special Risk Classes with a hire date prior
to October 1, 2001, with a minimum of ten (10) years of full-time service with Monroe County,
who retire on, or after, their normal retirement date as described in Sec. 121.021(29), F.S., and
who are covered under the group health insurance coverage provided by Monroe County upon
retirement, employees in other FRS Classes who complete the number of years of creditable
service required by the Florida Statutes to be eligible for a benefit under FRS, who retire on, or
after, their normal retirement date under Sec. 121.021(20) F.S., and who are covered under the
group health insurance coverage provided by Monroe County upon retirement, including those
who have retired or will retire in accordance with these insurance programs, and all other retirees
who as of October 1, 2001 are participating in the County's group insurance program at no cost,
may maintain their group health insurance benefits with Monroe County following their retirement
at a cost equal to the Health Insurance Subsidy for 10 years of service, which is currently $50.00
per month.
(ii) Employees hired, on or after, October 1, 2001, who meet the requirements
of Section 1. A. (i) may maintain their group health insurance benefits with Monroe County
following their termination of employment, provided such retired employees pay to Monroe
County a monthly premium in an amount established annually by the Board of County
Commissioners. The premium will equal, but not exceed, Monroe County's monthly departmental
cost for active employees. Such premium will be payable on the first day of every month
commencing with the month following the month in which the employee retires.
B. (i) Employees with a hire date prior to October 1, 2001, with ten (10) years of
full-time service with Monroe County who are covered under the group health insurance coverage
provided by Monroe County upon retirement and retire at an early retirement date, as described in
Sec. 121.021(30) F.S., may maintain their group health benefits with Monroe County following
their early retirement, provided such early retirees pay to Monroe County a monthly premium in
an amount established annually by the Board of County Commissioners. The premium will equal,
but not exceed, Monroe County's monthly departmental cost for active employees. Such premium
will be payable on the first day of every month commencing with the month following the month
in which the employee retires. Early retirees who pay the premiums described in subsection 1. B.
(i) will continue to be covered by Monroe County's group health insurance benefits at a cost to the
retirees equal to the Health Insurance Subsidy for 10 years of service, which is currently $50.00
per month upon meeting either of the following requirements:
(a) Sixty (60) years of age for Regular Class employees or fifty-five
(55) years of age for Special Risk Class; or
(b) Qualifications under the Rule of 70 wherein the combined years of
Service with Monroe County and the retiree's age equal a total of
seventy (70).
(ii) Employees with a hire date on or after October 1, 2001, who meet the
requirements of Section 1. B. (i) above and retire at any early retirement date, may maintain their
group health insurance benefits with Monroe County following their early retirement, provided
such early retirees pay to Monroe County a monthly premium in an amount established annually
by the Board of County Commissioners. The premium will equal, but not exceed, Monroe
County's monthly departmental cost for month following the month in which the employee retires.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, however, employees with a hire date on or after October
1, 2001 are not eligible for the premium adjustment under Section 1. B. (i).
C. Employees with at least ten (10) years of full-time service with Monroe County
who are covered under the group health insurance coverage provided by Monroe County upon
termination of employment and are fully vested under FRS who elect not to retire under FRS upon
termination of employment with Monroe County, may elect to re-enroll under the group health
insurance coverage provided by Monroe County upon retirement under FRS, provided that
Monroe County was their last FRS employer. Former employees electing this option, may
maintain their group health insurance benefits with Monroe County following such election,
provided such former employees pay to Monroe County a monthly premium in an amount
established annually by the Board of County Commissioners. The premium will equal, but not
exceed, Monroe County's monthly departmental cost for active employees. Such premium will be
payable on the first day of every month beginning with the first of the month following the month
in which the employee elects to re-enroll under the group health insurance coverage provided by
Monroe County upon retirement from FRS. Employees electing this option must, notify Monroe
County of their intent to re-enroll in the County's group health insurance program, Employees
who re-enroll under the group health insurance coverage pursuant to this paragraph are not eligible
for premium adjustments under subsection 1. B. (i) of this resolution.
D. Employees with less than ten (10) years of full-time service with Monroe County
who are covered under the group health insurance coverage provided by Monroe County upon
termination of employment and are fully vested under FRS, upon retirement under FRS in
accordance with these provisions, and provided that Monroe County was their last FRS employer,
may maintain their group health insurance benefits with Monroe County following their
termination of employment, provided such terminated employees pay to Monroe County a
monthly premium in an amount established annually by the Board of County Commissioners. The
premium will equal, but not exceed, Monroe County's monthly departmental cost for active
employees. Such premium will be payable on the first day of every month beginning with the first
of the month following the month in which the employee terminates employment with Monroe
County. Employees with less than ten (10) years of full-time service with the County are not
eligible for premium adjustments under subsection 1. B. (i) of the resolution.
Section 2.
This resolution shall be effective as of January 1,2004.
Section 3. This resolution does not affect any requirement of eligibility with the Florida
Retirement System; it affects only eligibility to receive health insurance benefits under the Monroe
County Group Employee Benefit Plan.
Section 4. For purposes of this resolution, full-time service shall have the meaning provided in
the County's policies and procedures governing determination of service. For purposes of this
resolution, the definition of date of hire is the date an employee first begins work for Monroe
County determined in accordance with the County's procedures governing fringe benefits. Any
break in employment of forty-eight (48) hours or more will result in a new date of hire if the
employee returns to County service.
Section 5. The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners formally reserves the right to
any and all future changes and modifications of this resolution, the group insurance contract
providing health benefits described herein and/or the required premium contributions.
Section 6.
2003.
~ .~
The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners cancels Resol~n~o,~4-~
::o....,~ fT1 0
0.-- -0
("I\~-< c..:> """-
C")'.- - 0
o~. ...... :::0
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe Count~ri~at ~
a ~ meeting of said Board held on the 10th day of September, 2003. ~:-If:, ca g
special r- " t.n
7>
r.
Mayor Dixie M. Spehar No
Mayor Pro Tem Murray E. Nelson Yes
Commissioner George Neugent Yes
Commissioner Charles "Sonny" McCoy Yes
Commissioner David P. Rice Yes
(SEAL)
B~C.iW/J~
Deputy Clerk
Board of County Commissioners
of M07;j,tY'lPt ~
RNEY ,
M:
Mayor/Chairman
A TTEST:'"Daf1nyL. Kolhage, Clerk