Council Votes Health Benefits to Its Members

By a vote of 3 to 2, Rancho Palos Verdes City Council members have made themselves the only council members on the Palos Verdes Peninsula to receive a health and life insurance benefit package similar to those given city employees.

The expense, which will come out of the city’s general fund, cannot exceed $8,500 for the council. It is expected to be much less, said a city official, because several council members are covered by other benefit plans, and their city-paid insurance coverage would be secondary to their existing medical and dental insurance. Council members receive an expense allowance of $150 per month, but no salary.

City employees may choose from three medical and two dental plans. Employees also participate in a mental health plan and are covered free by a life insurance policy at twice their yearly salary. Council members will be eligible for the same health plans, but will get a straight $50,000 life insurance policy.