Bloomington Leader

City as “Employer of Choice” Launches New 2023 Employee Benefits and Adds Two Pilot Programs: Parental Leave and CDL Training

Eligible City of Bloomington employees may soon participate in two new pilot programs in addition to receiving extensive new and ongoing benefits in 2023. The new pilot programs include six weeks paid parental leave and paid Commercial Driver’s License training. 

 

Pilot Paid Parental Leave Policy

Eligible City of Bloomington employees will qualify for up to six weeks of paid parental leave at 100% of their salary to spend time with their newborn or newly placed child for foster care or adoption This new pilot program, which went into effect in November,  runs concurrently with Family and Medical Leave (FML). Under the pilot, employees may use this benefit twice during City employment and may request the leave anytime within twelve months of the qualifying event.

 

Pilot CDL Training Program

Eligible City employees and new hires who need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to do their job may receive the necessary CDL training at no cost.  The City will pay up to $5,500 per employee for training. The employee must be otherwise qualified to hold the position, complete the training, pass the applicable CDL written test(s) and skills exam, and commit to 24 months in the position. Employees who leave the position voluntarily or by termination will reimburse the City for the pro rata cost of the training. The City will continue to cover up to $100 for the medical exam required to maintain a CDL, as well as continue providing the type of vehicle required to take the test.

 

Additionally, under the new contract terms reached between the City and Local 2487 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) (AFL-CIO Council 962), CDL license holders will see increased hourly enhancements for the license: CDL-A license hourly pay increase will double (from 50 cents to $1.00), and CDL-B license pay will more than double (from 30 to 80 cents). 

 

The City has launched this pilot program to address a substantial current shortfall of employees with CDLs and will evaluate its experience with the program after two years to determine whether it should be extended.

 

New 2023 Benefits

The 2023 budget year starting January 1, includes significant overall increases in employee wages, benefits, and bonuses, including: 

•    5% cost of living adjustment for all non-union employees

•    $1,000 bonus distributed in two $500 payments*

•    A new deferred compensation annual subsidy of up to $780 is available to all employees through the City’s progressive 3:1 or 2:1 match of employee retirement contributions 

•    Offering employees COVID-19 vaccine discounts on health insurance premiums, with the employee share as low as $0 depending on the chosen plan. Most employees will pay less for premiums than current costs

•    Up to $2,500 in travel and lodging expenses for employees to travel out of state for an abortion

•    A new health clinic for employees and their families, to be started by the fourth quarter of 2023 

•    Public Safety investments that are transforming our services:

•    $2 million annually to support new and major upgrades of police and fire department facilities

•    $2 million annually to support significantly increased annual salaries for sworn police officers, new public safety positions, and new and ongoing recruiting incentives

•    $750 monthly rent assistance for police or fire officers who rent a residence within the City

•    $18,000 one-time down payment assistance for police or fire officers who purchase a residence within the City (after a probationary year)

•    Recruitment incentives for new sworn police officers include $5,000 signing bonus for already-certified officers and $3,000 for non-certified applicants

•    Take-home patrol vehicle for police officers who live within the City or serve on specialty units

 

“City of Bloomington employees are precious assets in our community,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “All of our progress depends upon these dedicated public servants. These unprecedented 2023 investments and programs all help respect and support them and their families and make our city stronger.”

 

These incentives and salary increases are funded in part through Mayor John Hamilton's Recover Forward initiative and the Economic Development Local Income Tax (ED-LIT) increase by the City Council (bloomington.in.gov/newreevenue). 

 

Ongoing Benefits for Non-Public Safety City Employees:

Eligible employees receive 13 paid holidays per year and may earn up to 4 weeks (160 hours) of paid time off in their first year of employment and five weeks (200 hours) in their second year.

 

The City contributes 14.2% of a regular employee's salary to their retirement fund through the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS). Employees may contribute pre-tax dollars to a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan account to supplement their retirement earnings (with the new match outlined above). Health, vision, and dental insurance premiums are subsidized by the City and available on day one of employment to regular employees. The City offers life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, and long-term disability insurance at no cost to employees. Employees may elect voluntary term life and short-term disability insurance. 

 

Employees may receive over $2,400 per year in HSA contributions and wellness reimbursements, insurance discounts, and incentives. City Employees ride for free on Bloomington Transit.

 

Working for the City of Bloomington

People interested in employment with the City of Bloomington may visit the career portal at bloomington.in.gov/jobs. Anyone unable to access the portal or complete the online application may apply in person at the Human Resources Department, 401 N. Morton St. Suite 230, Bloomington, IN. Please contact hrmail@bloomington.in.gov for more information or with questions.

 

“Because of City employees, Bloomington is a great place to live, and the City is a great place to work,” said interim Human Resources Director Emily Fields. “We hope that these additions in compensation and benefits for 2023 will entice our valued employees to stay and also attract highly qualified job seekers to join us.”

 

*Bonus does not include sworn police officers/dispatch. Information about the new Police Hiring and Retention Incentives is available at bloomington.in.gov/news/2022/05/19/5186.

 

 

About Recover Forward

Recover Forward is a multi-year initiative to help our community rebound and thrive as we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, moving toward greater racial, economic, and climate justice as we do so.

 

More than $15 million has been approved to date by the City Council for critical investments. Recover Forward Bloomington includes $9 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and $6 million from City reserve funds. Learn more at bloomington.in.gov/recoverforward.  

Original source can be found here.