HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN TO REDUCE COSTS TO CITY

The City Council Wednesday unanimously approved a new health benefits package for all city employees that is expected to save the city more than $780,000 a year.

According to City Manager John Mezera, the plan, to be administered by Blue Cross-Blue Shield will result in savings of 15 to 17 percent in overall costs.

Mezera said that total claims for the city’s 950 employees were expected to range between $5 million and $6 million for the next 12 months and that under the new plan, costs will be reduced while benefits will remain the same.