By Staci DaSilva
sdasilva@kcautv.com
Large employers are being required to provide health care for all part-time employees working more than 29 hours a week.
So, Sioux City is working on a new health care plan for its employees.
"Those jobs are very highly technical in nature, we got to do everything we can to keep those employees," said Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott.
Council Member Rhonda Capron said, "We need to keep our skilled part time help because like Bob said, you can't replace them. And if they go, you got to retrain them."
If it wasn't for part-time help, you would never see shows being put on at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City.
But many of the City's part-time workers are seeing a temporary cut in their hours.
The reason? With the new healthcare law employers must now provide health care to anyone working over 29 hours a week.
"The cost to provide that on the City's part would be prohibitively expensive," said Assistant City Manager Bob Padmore.
To avoid continuing the reduced hours, Padmore and his team are working on a health-care plan that would cost the city about $3,000 per employee.
Just $1,000 more than the fine attached to not providing insurance to a person who works enough hours.
"We're paying $3,000 in health insurance, I'm going to vote to pay the $3,000 in health insurance because it'll be a better employee at the end of the day," said Mayor Scott.
And workers at Monday's City Council meeting seem to appreciate the City's efforts.
Part-time employee Joe Marshall said, "I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the Council for the process you're going through for all the part time employees. This is a pleasant surprise. And the one time that I'm glad to be up here."
Bob Padmore says the health plan he's working on would need final approval by the City Council.
He expects to make some kind of presentation at the City's budget hearing on Saturday.
