Town Council Benefits Information

Salary: Town Council may increase by ordinance the salary established in accordance with State law, provided that the amount of such increase may not exceed an amount equal to 5% for each calendar year from the operative date of the last adjustment.

Discussion of Council salary adjustments will be placed on the Town Council Agenda prior to budget workshops during each non- election year. Salary adjustments will not be effective until after the following regular election.

The Town Council adopted Ordinance Number 19- 483 May 21, 2019 authorizing a salary of $777 per month for Mayor and Town Council Members effective upon commencement of new Councilmember terms following certification of the November 2020 Election.

Benefits: Town Councilmembers are eligible to receive certain benefits as an employee of the Town of Yountville. All benefits must be approved by Resolution of the Town Council and shall remain in effect unless amended by the Council, or by changes in laws or contract provisions of those benefit plans that are not prohibited by regulations of the Town. Town Councilmembers have the option to receive employee benefits and may decline to participate in the employee benefits program available to them as a Town Councilmember.

Retirement: Town Councilmembers are not eligible to join the California Public Employees Retirement Program (PERS).

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Town Councilmembers are conditionally eligible to participate in the Town’s health insurance program. A Councilmember must elect to join PERS in order to enroll in a group health insurance plan provided by CalPERS for the Town of Yountville. By enrolling in CalPERS Health, this is not enrolling into the CalPERS retirement system.

Effective as of January 1, 2011, 90% of the Kaiser Health plan premium cost shall be paid by the Town with an employee contribution of 10%. The cost shall be determined for each insurance coverage type as currently defined by PERS Health Program: employee only, employee only and one (1) spouse, employee only and one (1) dependent, and employee and two (2) plus dependents. any additional cost which exceeds the Town’s maximum contribution shall be the responsibility of the elected official to pay.

The Councilmember is eligible to participate in the Town’s dental insurance program with 100% of the costs capped for coverage of the elected official only. The Councilmember may select employee only, employee only and one (1) spouse, employee only and one (1) dependent, and employee and two (2) plus dependents, however, any additional costs which exceeds the Town’s maximum contribution shall be the responsibility of the Councilmember to pay.

The Councilmember is eligible to participate in the Town’s vision insurance reimbursement program and may receive a total maximum of $500 per year of reimbursement on actual costs of vision insurance coverage for the Councilmember and/or a member of the Councilmember’s household.

The Councilmember may utilize payroll deduction and/or may need to provide a monthly payment to the Town if payroll deduction is not sufficient to cover the increased costs of health, dental, or vision insurance benefits.

Health Insurance Reimbursement: Councilmembers are eligible for reimbursement of costs associated with the provision of health and welfare benefits.

Councilmembers who do not participate in the Town’s health insurance program may receive a maximum of $6,000 per year of reimbursement on actual costs for health and welfare benefits defined above. Council Members seeking reimbursement for health and welfare benefits must submit receipts monthly or at other intervals for actual costs incurred and will receive reimbursement thereafter. A reimbursable expense includes the health insurance deductible that the Councilmember pays to another employer’s health insurance plan.

Town Councilmembers are eligible for these benefits while serving their elected term of office only. Town Councilmembers are not eligible for retiree medical once they have left office.

Life Insurance:

1. If you have not reached age 65, your amount of insurance will be $25,000.

2. If you have reached age 65, but not age 70. your amount of insurance will be 67% of the amount shown in 1 above ($16,750).

3. If you have reached age 70 or more, your amount of insurance will be 67% of the amount shown in 2 above ($11,222.50).

Deferred Compensation: Town Councilmembers are eligible to participate in the Town’s deferred compensation plans through either ICMA or Nationwide Retirement Solutions. Town will contribute $25/month, if matched by Council Member.

Wellness Program: The Town may contribute $50.00 per month of reimbursement of actual costs to a Town Councilmember that participates in a recognized health and fitness center minimum of eight (8) times per month. Town Councilmembers seeking reimbursement for Wellness Program costs must submit receipts monthly for actual costs incurred on a monthly basis. 2.F.

Cellphone Stipend: The Town may contribute a maximum of $80.00 per month of reimbursement on actual costs of a Town Councilmember’s cellphone plan. Town Councilmembers seeking reimbursement for cellphone plan costs must submit receipts monthly for actual costs incurred on a monthly basis.

iPad/Tablet Standard and Stipend: The Town Council has authorized the implementation of the use of iPads/Tablets to streamline the agenda process and to distribute agendas electronically. The Town will provide a taxable stipend to Town Officials, deemed necessary for work purposes by the Town Manager. This stipend is to purchase an iPad/Tablet in order to access agenda packets electronically, enhance efficiency and align with established and emerging “best practices.”

The iPad/Tablet is the Town Council Member’s personal property, and Town business accomplished on the device is subject to the California Public Records Act and California Political Reform Act, established Computer Use, E-mail and Internet Policy outlined in Section 26 of the Town’s Personnel Rules and Policy Manual Regulations and any additional applicable laws.

The Town Council receives a hybrid iPad/Tablet Policy and taxable stipend amount every 3 years to be used to purchase the Town standard device.