MARK SCHUMANN

In a July 17 email addressed to “ALL,” City of Vero Beach Human Resources Director Lynne George issued revised personnel rules.  In the updated version, city council members were defined as full-time employees for the purpose of health insurance benefits.

The version of Section 19.03, paragraph A of the city’s personnel rules in effect as of July 17, 2013 read, “Health insurance is provided for all full-time employees.  The coverage will be effective starting the first day of the month following the employee’s one-month anniversary.  All participants will receive a benefits booklet outlining the details of the plan.”

The revision of Section 19.03, paragraph A, which George distributed on July 17, reads, “Health insurance is provided for all full-time employees, which term “full-time employees” shall include city council members for purposes of health insurance.  The coverage for full-time employees will be effective starting the first day of the month following the one-month anniversary of the employee’s hire date.  The coverage for city council members will be effective starting the first day of the month following the one-month anniversary of the city council member’s first taking office.  All participants will receive a benefits booklet outlining the details of the plan.” (Highlighting added)

George wrote, “The change to Health Insurance was effective February 21, 2006, but the Personnel Rules were mistakenly not updated at that time.”