News
By Michael Hernandez, 9-3-24
$3.4MM City Employee Health Insurance Contract
FERNANDINA BEACH, FL—The Board of Commissioners approved 5-0. at its Sept. 3 meeting (Agenda Item 5-4), a United Healthcare $3.5 million insurance proposal for health, dental and vision insurance for 240 city employees. The city contributes fully to health insurance for employees (spouse and children are shared costs).
The original United Healthcare proposal was reduced from a 23 percent initial increase to a 13.8 percent increase. United Healthcare has provided medical insurance benefits to full-time employees since 2015. Employees can select between a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) as well as a Health Savings Account (HAS). The United Healthcare vision proposal reflected a five percent increase with a three-year rate guarantee.
A market analysis was conducted by employee benefit consultant Brown & Brown and the United Healthcare proposal was recommended over proposals from Cigna and Florida Blue which included higher deductibles. Florida Blue did propose a decrease of seven percent but city officials were concerned that this proposal was to get the City’s business and next year’s renewal could be significantly higher.
The City also went with dental and vision insurance from United Healthcare. Both Fernandina Beach employee dental and vision insurance have employee-paid benefits with no City contribution. The City received proposals from United Healthcare, Sun Life, Mutual of Omaha, The Standard, and Cigna for both these insurances as well as Guardian, Florida Combined Life, Ameritas and Lincoln.
In other insurance action by the Board of Commissioners:
- Preferred Governmental Insurance Trust (PGIT) was approved, 5-0 (Agenda Item 5-2) for City property, workers’ compensation and general liability insurance.
- Standard Insurance Company was approved, 5-0 (Agenda Item 5-3) for life and Accidental Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) and Voluntary Life.
- Curalinc, LLC was approved, 5-0 (Agenda Item 5-5) for employee assistance services.
City Approves $3.4 Million Land Purchase At Alvarez Regional Sports Complex
The City approved, 5-0 (Agenda Item 5-7) a $3.4 million interlocal agreement between the Nassau County Board of Commissioners and the City of Fernandina Beach. Both governmental agencies will share the cost of the land purchase at the city airport and redevelopment of the Ybor Alvarez Sports Complex.
“This long-term relationship with Nassau County is a partnership that we are just beginning,” said Vice Mayor David Sturges. “We appreciate the Nassau County Commissioners,” said Commissioner Ronald “Chip” Ross. “We are working with the county hand-in-hand and this benefits the kids,” said Mayor Bradley Bean.
City Approves Motorola Radio Lease Purchase Agreement For $912,000
The City approved (5-0) a Motorola Solutions Credit Company LLC radio lease purchase agreement for $912,000 (Agenda Item 5-9) for 80 plus radios whereby Fernandina Beach public safety departments (police and fire) can communicate with Nassau County on the same radio system. The City contracted directly with Motorola for the required equipment which replaces old and outdated models and adds new equipment for emergency responders and apparatus.
Collective Bargaining Agreement With 80 City Employees Of Local 630 Approved
The City approved, 5-0 (Agenda Item 5-6), a collective bargaining agreement with 80 city employees of Local 630. The agreement extends from Oct. 1, 2024 through Sept. 30, 2027.
Proclamations Given To State Senator Yarborough and Secretary of State Byrd
The City Commission presented a proclamation to Florida State Senator Clay Yarborough for his advocacy on behalf of the City of Fernandina Beach which resulted in the City receiving $2 million in the 2024/2025 budget year for the Resiliency Sea Wall Construction project. Funding comes from Florida’s General Appropriations Act (GAA) and will protect Fernandina Beach’s Historic Downtown business and residential district.
Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd also received a proclamation for his role as state historical officer overseeing the $500,000 grant to provide needed repairs to the historic 204-year-old Amelia Island Lighthouse—the nation’s oldest operating lighthouse on a 59-foot-high hill overlooking Amelia Island. The grant application was ranked Florida’s fourth most important Historic Preservation project among 36 recommended projects.
The total grant application is for $625,000 (with $125,000 a matching fund requirement from the City of Fernandina Beach).
Constitution Week Observed and National Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrated
Ms. Rebecca Mayle, of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Amelia Island Chapter accepted the City Proclamation of Constitution Week of Sept. 17-23 with Sept. 17th marking the 237th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America.
Representatives of the Hispanic Heritage Food Festival received a proclamation and announced the Oct. 12 event on 3rd Street starting at 1 p.m. National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15-Oct. 15.
Petanque Courts Relocation Paused
A Motion To Repeal Petanque Courts Relocation to either Joe Velardi Field or Central Park (Agenda Item 5-1) was approved 5-0. Some16 courts for tournament play at Marina Waterfront Park (will still follow special events process).
Public Comments:
- John Abbott (President of Amelia Island Boules Club): “We will have 16 competition courts but will lose almost 36 courts.”
- Pete Stevenson: “Congratulations for compromise. Look at Central Park the fields need some tender-loving-care. We spent $23,000 a few years ago. This is the best solution. I want to commend that we are coming together as a community.”
(Editor’s Note: The Sept. 3rd Fernandina Beach City Commission meeting experienced technical difficulties at 6:55 p.m. that kept Citizens Journal Florida from additional reporting on Agenda Items 5-12: funding Amelia Island Tourist Development Council Historic Downtown Preservation for $1 million and on Agenda Item 5-13: approving submittal of $200,000 grant for Poe Pinson Skate Park expansion to be submitted to the State.)
Commissioners:
Mayor Bradley Bean (Seat 1): 904-415-5181
Vice Mayor David Sturges (Seat 2): 904-753-2445
Ronald “Chip” Ross (Seat 3): 410-394-0220
James Antun (Seat 4): 516-547-5309
Darron Ayscue (Seat 5): 904-780-4480
Agenda
https://fernandinabeachfl.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3258/files/attachment/34755
Watch
https://www.fbfl.us/815/City-Meeting-Videos
Michael Hernandez, from California, is co-founder of the Citizens Journal—Ventura County’s online news service. He is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor. Mr. Hernandez can be contacted at [email protected] and is editor of the weekly “Stories Speak Volumes,” and “Nov. 5 Election Day Countdown.”
