Board of Estimate Contract:
RESOLVED, that an ordinance adopted by the City Council on April 23, 2025, and signed by the Mayor on April 24, 2025, authorizing the Comptroller to Enter into a Partnership with Aflac to Offer Voluntary Supplementary Dental Benefits to Employees through Payroll Deduction - (the City Comptroller's office, specifically payroll staff, shall implement and manage the necessary payroll deductions for participating employees. These deductions shall be pre-tax and consistent with applicable tax and labor regulations. There shall be no financial obligation or cost to the City of Mount Vernon associated with the offering or administration of this voluntary benefits plan; be, and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE COMPTROLLER
TO ENTER INTO A PARTNERSHIP WITH AFLAC
TO OFFER VOLUNTARY SUPPLEMENTARY DENTAL
BENEFITS TO EMPLOYEES THROUGH
PAYROLL DEDUCTION
Whereas, in a letter dated April 17, 2025, the Comptroller requested authorization to enter into a partnership agreement with Aflac to offer voluntary supplementary dental benefits to City employees through payroll deductions; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon recognizes the importance of providing quality, affordable benefits options to its employees to enhance overall employee well-being; and
Whereas, Aflac currently partners with the City of Mount Vernon to offer voluntary supplemental insurance benefits, such as Short Term Disability and Hospital Insurance, during an annual enrollment period held in June; and
Whereas, numerous City employees have expressed interest in additional dental benefits beyond those currently available; and
Whereas, Aflac has proposed a voluntary supplementary dental benefits plan to meet this employee demand, to be offered on a trial basis; and
Whereas, participation in this plan will be entirely voluntary, incur no cost to the City, and will be administered through pre-tax payroll deductions, resulting in reduced taxable income for participating employees; and
Whereas, the City Comptroller, in collaboration with payroll staff, has reviewed the proposed process and is prepared to facilitate the necessary payroll deductions; and
Whereas, all employee communication, education, and enrollment activities will be managed by Aflac Representatives and the City’s Benefits Specialist; Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved That
The City of Mount Vernon, in City Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact:
Section 1. Authorization. The City Comptroller is hereby authorized to enter into a partnership agreement with Aflac for the purpose of offering voluntary supplementary dental benefits to City employees through payroll deductions.
Section 2. Terms of Participation.
a. The supplementary dental benefits plan shall be made available on a voluntary basis during the established annual benefits enrollment period.
b. The plan will be offered on a trial basis in 2025, with continued offering contingent upon sufficient employee interest and participation.
c. Employees who enroll in the plan shall have the option to retain their coverage for life, regardless of City participation in future years.
Section 3. Payroll Deduction. The City Comptroller's office, specifically payroll staff, shall implement and manage the necessary payroll deductions for participating employees. These deductions shall be pre-tax and consistent with applicable tax and labor regulations.
Section 4. Communication and Enrollment. All employee communications, plan education, and enrollment processes shall be conducted by the City’s Benefits Specialist in collaboration with Aflac Representatives.
Section 5. No Cost to the City. There shall be no financial obligation or cost to the City of Mount Vernon associated with the offering or administration of this voluntary benefits plan.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract.