The City Council voted to renew their health, vision and life insurance policies and switch health insurance companies at a special meeting held Monday at City Hall.

The Council voted to switch health insurance policies from PersonalCare to Blue Cross Blue Shield after Blue Cross Blue Shield offered a lower premium.

Mayor John Inyart acknowledged the dedication of the insurance committee’s work in deciding this year’s insurance policies.

“A lot of work goes into each renewal,” Inyart said. “Changing companies is even more work.”

City Manager Scott Smith said the cost of health insurance is shared by each employee and the city, with the city giving each employee an allowance toward the total cost of their health insurance coverage.

The employee pays the difference, Smith said.

Smith added that employees can choose each insurance item to be covered as single employee or through a family plan.

The council voted to renew their vision insurance through Vision Service Plan with a 21.9 percent decrease than the current rate.

They also voted to approve MetLife for dental insurance with an increase of 13.1 percent than the current rate.

Smith said that employees must cover 100 percent of any dental and vision coverage they choose to receive.

The council voted to renew the life insurance policy through Delta TruAssure Insurance Company at a 3.6 percent increase.

Smith said the city pays for the life insurance policy at no cost to the employee. Active employees are eligible for a $20,000 life insurance policy.

Retirees can pay the premium cost and be eligible for a $10,000 policy.

Sara Hall can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].