Department heads working for the city of Ceres will receive slight increases in the amount paid toward medical benefits, following Monday’s City Council approval.

The increases are in keeping with that given to employees represented by all five labor organizations this summer.

Those agreements included an increase to the health benefit contributions effective Jan. 1, 2025, and the elimination of the $1,200 annual contribution to a flexible spending account. Instead the city will apply the $1,200 to the monthly health benefit contribution plus an additional $30 per month for an employee plus one; and an additional $60 per month for employee plus family.

The city will contribute the following amounts toward the combined premiums for medical, dental and vision on a semi-monthly basis. The city’s contribution shall not exceed the actual premiums, or the contribution amounts listed below, whichever is less:

• $810 per month for an employee received medical care for themselves only.

• $1,600 per month for employee enrolled in Employee plus one medical coverage.

• $2,250 per month for employee enrolled in medical coverage for themselves and more than one dependent.

In addition, all department heads are eligible to receive 15 management leave days each fiscal year. All department heads were provided this leave except for the Human Resources Director. The Human Resources Directors amendment will include the 15 management leave days offered to all other department heads. There is no cost associated with this request.

The contract change will impact the budget by $1,260 for the current fiscal year.