Archive for month: May, 2017

City of Windom 2017 Employee Wellness Cookbook

May 30, 2017/in Employee Announcement, Employee Wellness Program /by Finance and HR Admin

DEADLINE EXTENDED – Submit your recipes by Friday June 2nd. NOTE: Drawing entries will only be given for three recipes but if you have more than three favorites, submit as many as you wish!

SHARE YOUR FAVORITE RECIPES WITH YOUR CO-WORKERS!!

We are looking for favorite employee and/or spouses family recipes to include in our City Cookbook. Linda Carruthers (Hy-Vee Dietitian) will be adding suggestions and tips for healthy substitutions and also some healthy recipes.

Everyone who participates will receive a $5.00 coupon from Hy-Vee and a free copy of the cookbook.
Each recipe will earn an entry into a drawing for $25 Hy-Vee gift card. (up to 3 entries for each employee)

Send recipes to: ccarlson@windomnet.com or drop off at City office.

2018 Health Insurance Options

May 24, 2017/in Employee Announcement /by Finance and HR Admin

To: City of Windom Employees

From: Chelsie Carlson

To help provide lower health care costs, the City is a member of the Southwest West Central Coop (SWWC) health insurance pool. I recently attended a SWWC Coop Executive Committee meeting where industry trends and the status of our health insurance pool were discussed. At this time, we do not have 2018 premium renewal numbers but based on the Coop discussions we are likely to receive another significant increase in premiums if no changes are made to our current health insurance plan.

Currently, the City has only one health insurance plan that has been in place since 2004. One tool SWWC wants employee groups to consider is a combined HSA/VEBA offering. Our current health plan only qualifies for a VEBA account. There are pros and cons to using each type of Health Savings Account (HSA). To maximize the benefits available a health insurance plan that qualifies for both a HSA account and a VEBA would be beneficial. In 2018, HSA accounts require a health plan with a minimum deductible of $1,350 for single and $2,700 for family. This would be a slight increase in the deductible from our current plan, but it could be off-set with additional tax saving benefits. Attached is a brochure that explains VEBA and HSA accounts and some of the differences. As a second option, the SWWC encouraged employers to offer more than one health insurance plan to employees. For example, the City could offer higher deductible plans as options for employees to reduce premium costs for both employees and the City. Cost savings in these higher deductible plans could lead to revised employee/employer contribution rates that would need to be negotiated between the union and the City.

Please note that a combined HSA/VEBA offering added to the current health insurance plan or providing other health insurance plan options would be considered a change in overall benefits covered by union contracts and must be negotiated with the unions as part of the labor agreement.

If you would be interested in these options please contact your union steward or union representative. We encourage your union representatives to follow up with myself or Steve to discuss further possible changes to our health insurance coverage.

For additional information on a combined HSA/VEBA offering a Select Account representative will be in Windom on June 22^nd to review and explain the information in greater detail to interested employees. Informational meetings will be held in the Council Chamber from 12:30 PM -1:30 PM and 2:00 PM-3:00 PM.

HSA VS VEBA Comparison Information

WELCOA Health Bulletin – Tai Chi

May 22, 2017/in Employee Wellness Program /by Finance and HR Admin

WELCOA Health Bulletin – Tai Chi

Hy-Vee Simple Fix Employee Workshop

May 22, 2017/in Employee Announcement, Employee Wellness Program /by Finance and HR Admin

REMINDER: Deadline for Signup is Monday May 22nd. Sign-up Today!!

2017 Wellness Employee Simple Fix Workshop
Sign-up now to prepare 4 easy crockpot meals to take home. (Employees and/or spouses are invited).

The workshop is scheduled for May 30th at 6:30 in the Hy-Vee kitchen and will last approximately 1 hour.

The City of Windom Wellness Program will sponsor the workshop and reduce the full participant fee of $60 to only $20 per participant (just $5 per meal)!!!.

Hy-Vee shops for the groceries, cleans and chops all the ingredients, and provides the space, bowls and utensils.

At the workshop each participant puts together 4 recipes in a separate freezer bag that they can take home, put in the freezer and then thaw out and pop in the crockpot when they desire. Each meal includes a recipe, and cooking instructions. The meals make anywhere from 4-8 servings. The purpose is to encourage cooking at home and becoming aware that it is cheaper to prepare meals than to eat out. The crockpot meals allow for convenience.

Simple Fix Recipes – May 3oth Workshop

Jamaican Jerk Chick Sliders with Pineapple Salsa

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Teriyaki Chicken

Pacific Pork

A participant count is needed to plan supplies. Call City Hall or email Leesa(larndt@windom-mn.com) or Chelsie (ccarlson@windomnet.com) to sign-up for the workshop. Participant fee of $20.00 will be paid to Hy-Vee at the workshop.

Substitutions can be made for food allergies. Please notify Chelsie if any accommodations are needed.

City of Windom Wellness Cycle 360 Classes

May 17, 2017/in Employee Announcement, Employee Wellness Program /by Website Administrator

Looking for something to change up your exercise routine or try something new.…….. The City is offering Cycle 360 classes (combination of on-bike and off-bike core work) at River Valley Fitness. The class is a 6-week session beginning June 19th – July 27th and those participating will also have use of the entire facility on […]

City of Windom 2017 Employee Wellness Cookbook

May 15, 2017/in Employee Announcement, Employee Wellness Program /by Finance and HR Admin

SHARE YOUR FAVORITE RECIPES WITH YOUR CO-WORKERS!!

Everyone who participates will receive a $5.00 coupon from Hy-Vee and a free copy of the cookbook.
Each recipe will earn an entry into a drawing for $25 Hy-Vee gift card. (up to 3 entries for each employee)

Entries must be submitted by May 30, 2017.

Send recipes to: ccarlson@windomnet.com or drop off at City office.