Salary and Benefits

City Council Salary and Benefits
Effective March 2012

Stipends
City Council Members receive a monthly stipend of $2,300 per month.

PERS Retirement (Public Employees Retirement System)
Council Members are eligible for a Service Retirement (2.7% @ 55) upon attainment of age 50 with at least 5 years of credited service. Council Members are eligible for Pre-Retirement Death Benefits. This is a lump sum in the amount of the member's accumulated contributions to PERS, plus a lump sum in the amount of one month's salary for each completed year of current service, up to a maximum of six months' salary. A Council Member retires after five years of service and is age 50 or over receives lifetime health benefit. The lifetime health benefit was changed in 2008 with the implementation of the “Tier B” Health Plan. The “Tier B” Health Plan as described below virtually eliminates the option of the lifetime health benefit for future “Tier B” Council Members, sworn into office after January 1, 2009.

Health Insurance
All insurance benefits will be effective on the first day of the month following exercising the option to receive coverage. The City has available single party and dependent hospitalization, major medical, dental, and optical insurance for Council Members. The City's medical insurance is through PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) and Council Members and their dependents receive health coverage commensurate with the health plan chosen less deductibles.

Future Council Members, sworn into office after January 1, 2009, will be classed as “Tier B” employees and will be limited to HMO Plan(s). “Tier B” Council Members and their dependents receive health coverage commensurate with the health plan chosen less deductibles. If the “Tier B” Council Member opts for a PPO plan, the Council Member will be responsible to pay the difference. “Tier B” Council Members must work 20 years with the City of Indian Wells to be eligible for full life-time health benefits.

Dental Coverage is provided by Delta Dental. Preventative services and paid at 100%, there is a $50 calendar year deductible. Delta Dental pays 90% for basic service and 60% for major services. The calendar year maximum that Delta Dental will pay for preventive, basic and major services is $1,000. There is a six month waiting period for major procedures. There is also an orthodontia benefit for covered Council Members and dependents. There is no deductible for orthodontia services and the plan will pay 50% up to a $2,000 lifetime maximum per person. Vision Coverage is provided by Vision Service Plan (VSP). After a $10.00 deductible, Council Members may have their eyes examined once every 12 months. Lenses are provided once every 12 months and frames are provided once every 24 months.