CITY OF TEXARKANA, TEXAS BENEFITS SUMMARY

The City of Texarkana, Texas provides three weeks of annual and sick leave per year. This is accrued at a rate of 4.6 hours per pay period. Leave is accrued during the probationary period, but cannot be taken until the employee comes off of probation.

Employees are granted bonus days for non-use of sick leave. If two days or less of sick leave are used per calendar year, the employee will receive two additional paid leave days during the following calendar year. If 2-4 days of sick leave are used in one calendar year, the employee will receive one additional paid leave day during the following calendar year.

Employees hired prior to January, 2010, who retire with the City after ten years of continuous service, employees will be paid up to 720 hours of sick leave. The same 720 hours of sick leave will also be converted to money to be used to pay insurance premiums for the retiree until the balance is depleted or the retiree goes on Medicare. This coverage cannot be used if the retiree has other insurance coverage. The employee can stay on the dental plan after he/she has gone on Medicare.

Employees hired on or after January, 2010, who retire with the City after ten years of continuous service will be paid 25% of their sick leave balance at the employees current hourly pay rate. The sick leave balance may not exceed 2080 hours except as provided for Civil Service employees under Texas Government Code 143.045. In lieu of this lump sum payment, the employee may receive health and/or dental coverage premium payments equal to the amount which the employee is entitled to receive for their sick leave balance described above. The health coverage will remain in effect until the employee becomes eligible through Medicare or until the employee becomes eligible for another group health insurance plan. The employee can stay on the dental plan after he/she has gone on Medicare.

Public service leave is provided for the employee to serve on a jury, upon being called as a witness in a court action because of their City position, or for fifteen days of military training within one fiscal year.

Retirement benefits are through Texas Municipal Retirement System. Employees contribute 7% and are vested after five years. City match is 2:1, and employees can retire after twenty years of service at any age.

Retirement benefits for the Fire Department are paid through the Firemen's Relief and Pension Fund. Employees contribute 11% and are vested after 20 years of service. Employees can retire after twenty years of service.

The City of Texarkana, Texas provides health, dental, and life insurance to its employees at a minimal cost. Insurance becomes effective the first of the month following thirty days of employment. The City, with supplemental life and dependent life insurance available to be paid by the employee, also pays One year's salary of life insurance.

Additional life insurance can be purchased for up to $100,000 in increments of $10,000 at a rate determined by age. Dependent life can be purchased for $1.80 per month for $5,000 on spouse and $2,000 on any child under 18 living at home.

The City of Texarkana, Texas is self-insured for its health, dental, and life insurances. The third party administrator (TPA) is Blue Advantage Administrators of Arkansas. Dependent insurance rates are as follows. Figures are monthly and includes employee rate:

Medical Dental Vision Total
Employee $27.89 $2.43 $11.02 $41.34
Children $156.42 $15.76 $24.41 $196.59
Spouse $197.64 $19.41 $24.41 $241.46
Family $312.83 $31.53 $24.41 $368.77

The City's health and dental insurance plan can be accessed through www.blueadvantagearkansas.com or through the Human Resources Office.

A flexible compensation program is also available for tax deferment purposes. Dependent insurance premiums, medical reimbursement, and dependent childcare can be "flexed" to offset taxes. Participation for medical reimbursement and dependent childcare is optional.

The City of Texarkana, Texas has a Tuition Reimbursement program available for employees who wish to continue their education and thereby enhance their job knowledge. Tuition reimbursement is available for reimbursement on a class-by-class basis, where the grade in that class is a "C" or above.

Longevity pay is paid to all full-time employees at a rate of $4.00 per month per years of service. Civil Service employees are paid longevity each pay period, while all other employees receive longevity in a lump sum once per year.

The City of Texarkana, Texas has ten paid holidays, including New Years Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and one personal holiday.

A voluntary deferred compensation program through ICMA is offered to all City employees.