The city of Mexico will switch its health insurance plan for employees after being presented with a huge increase by the current insurer.

Deputy City Manager Roger Haynes told council members at a regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 13, that the current provider, United Health, had been the city’s servicer for the last couple of years, but the city would be switching to a plan from Aetna instead. The new plan will increase the city’s premiums by just over one percent. Had the city stayed with United Healthcare the increase would have been at least 15 percent over this year’s rates.

The 15 percent increase from United Health was less than what the company had initially offered when the city sought premium rates last month. 

The only question came from Councilman Larry Webber who sought clarification on what the city contributes to the premiums. Haynes said the city pays 100 percent for employees and 75 percent for family members.

“I’m not worried about this particular plan,” Webber said. “I think people should be aware of that.”

City receives highest form of recognition

The city of Mexico was informed last week the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive report for the fiscal year 2022 that ended Sept. 30, 2022. The news release said the report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program. This is the highest form of recognition for the GFOA awards.

City Manager Bruce Slagle gave most of the credit to his Deputy City Manger Roger Haynes. Haynes has put together the audit report for 34 consecutive years.

“Its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by the government and its management and I want to certainly thank Roger Haynes for his work on it,” Slagle said.