10-25-04 Regular Meeting of La Porte Audit Committee

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0 CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS Notes to the Financial Statements - Continued September 30, 2004 8. Risk Management - Continued Risk Pool The City is a member of the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool, an unincorporated association of 1,860 political subdivisions of the State of Texas. The Pool contracts with a third party administrator for administration, investigation and adjustment services in the handling of claims. All loss contingencies, including claims incurred but not reported, if any, are recorded and accounted for by the Pool. 9. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities From time to time, the City is a defendant in legal proceedings relating to its operations as a municipality. In the best judgment of the City's management, the outcome of any pending legal proceedings will not have an adverse effect on the accompanying general purpose financial statements. The City participates in certain federal and state assisted grant programs. These programs are subject to program compliance audits by the grantors or their representatives. Any liability for reimbursement which may arise as the result of these audits is not believed to be material. 10. Post -Employment Benefits In addition to pension benefits described in Note 6, employees who retire from the City and are eligible for pension benefits shall be provided medical coverage by the City to the extent and subject to the conditions of such coverage that is provided to current employees of the City. This coverage for retired employees is provided at the option of City council through adoption of the annual budget. The City funds these premiums in the same manner as it funds similar premiums for current employees. Employees, who retired from the City before October 1, 1992, have 100% of their coverage paid for by the City. Employees who retired from the City in 1993 and up to December 31, 1999, with 20 or more years of service have 100% of their coverage paid for by the City. Prior to January 1, 2000, employees who have 15 years but less than 20 years of service are required to pay for 10% of the cost and employees who have 10 years but less than 15 years of service are required to pay for 20% of their costs. For employees who retire after January 1, 2000 the following applies: Years of Service with City Retiree Cost CRY Cost Retiree Cost Per Year At least 10 but less than 15 years 55% 45% $2,750 At least 15 but less than 20 years 25% 75% 1,250 At least 20 years 0% 100% 0 The costs of providing these benefits and number of retired employees are as follows: Dependent Number of Total Cost City's Cost Coverage Cost Retired Employees $197,750 $175,250 $22,500 43 Retirees who are entitled to receive retirement benefits under the City's retirement plan may purchase continued health benefits for the retiree and the retiree's dependents. The person must inform the City no later than the day on which the person retires that the person elects to continue coverage. If the retiree elects to continue coverage for himself and/or his dependents, once he decides to drop either type of coverage, the person and/or his dependents become eligible for coverage at the next open enrollment period. The level of coverage provided is the same level of coverage provided to current employees. The City's coverage is secondary to Medicare when the person becomes eligible for those benefits. Payment for dependent coverage will be at the same rate as payments for current employees. m