Ojai Council Moves to Eliminate Lifetime Healthcare

Jan 16, 2012 by Dick.Thomson

The Ojai City Council took the first step Tuesday night toward eliminating lifetime health care benefits for future council members.

After several failed attempts at crafting a motion, the council asked city officials to create a resolution barring future council members from receiving lifetime health insurance. While on the council, they would receive coverage for themselves and not their dependents.

The council voted 3-2 for that plan, with Carol Smith, Sue Horgan and Carlon Strobel approving and Paul Blatz and Betsy Clapp dissenting. The council is set to consider the resolution Jan. 24.

Under fire for providing such benefits to elected officials while the city was ailing financially, the council previously agreed it legally could not rescind the benefits for current and former members. It raised the years of service required before being vested in the insurance system to 10 from five, but Smith continued to push for eliminating lifetime and dependent coverage for future council members.

“This is a tremendous perk,” Smith said. “This came from the 1970s, when there was a move to say council members were employees. They are elected. How do we justify this for part-time council members?”

Smith conceded she gets Medicare and health care coverage from her 30-year career in nursing. But she said personal considerations aside, the city cannot afford the benefit, which in fiscal year 2010-11 cost taxpayers $26,476 for current council members and $21,675 for former members.

Dick Thomson and David Grau of the Ventura County Taxpayers Association spoke Tuesday in favor of eliminating the benefit.

“I applaud the fact that you’re having this discussion,” Thomson said, adding that lifetime benefits for council members amount to irresponsible spending. “When you’re done, you’re done.”