Human Resources
Benefits Summary



The City of Abilene offers a variety of competitive benefit packages and salaries for regular full-time employees which include:



Holidays

Employees receive 9 paid holidays - New Year's Day, MLK Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday, and Christmas Day.

Vacation

120 hours per year (may be taken only after one year of service for Civil Service employees, and after 6 months for Non Civil Service employees). Accrues at 10 hours per month.

Sick Leave

120 hours or 15 days per year. Accrues at 10 hours per month. Sick leave is provided to employees during time lost due to personal illness or injury, or illness or injury of an employee’s eligible dependent. Sick leave usage for an employee’s eligible dependent is limited to a combined maximum of 80 hours per calendar year. An eligible dependent is defined as an employee’s spouse, child or parent. Any illness or injury of an employee or employee's family member which requires the employee to be absent for 3 days or longer may be covered under FMLA leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 provides up to 12 weeks of leave for eligible employees for certain family and medical reasons. Employees are eligible if they have worked for the City of Abilene for at least one year and 1,250 hours over the previous twelve (12) months.

Funeral Leave

May receive up to three days funeral leave with pay to arrange or attend funeral of an immediate family member.

Court Leave

When called for Jury Duty or as witnesses, employees receive their regular salary from the City while serving.

Military Leave

Will be granted up to 15 days off with pay to attend a regular training activity.

Bonus Day

Employees who use three or less days sick and/or injury leave during the calendar year are awarded an extra day off (bonus day) with pay. Employees must be employed for the entire calendar year prior to earning this bonus day.

Retirement

All employees except firefighters are members of the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS). Firefighters are members of the Firemen's Relief and Retirement Fund. Retirement contributions are deducted from pay checks each pay period at a fixed rate of 7% of gross pay for TMRS. Firefighters contribute a percentage of their gross pay to the fund in an amount agreed upon by the Firefighters Pension Board and the City Council.

Optional Retirement

Additional optional retirement is also available through IRS Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan with either International City Managers' Association (ICMA) or Nationwide Retirement Solutions. These deductions are pre-taxed.

Credit Union

Payroll deduction is available to all regular employees for deposit in the Abilene Federal Credit Union for savings accounts and loan repayments.

Special Pay

Non-Civil Service employees who have completed five years of continuous employment with the City of Abilene are awarded stability pay. This is figured by multiplying annual salary times years of service times .005. Maximum benefit is $1200. Civil Service employees receive special pay for longevity, certification, and education.

Workers' Compensation

The City provides Workers' Compensation to protect employees from loss of wages due to a job related illness or injury. In addition, if an employee is temporarily unable to return to work because of this illness or injury, the employee may receive Wage Continuation Benefits.

Employee Assistance Program

Administered through Alliance Work Partners. Provides all full-time, part-time, and temporary employees and their immediate family members up to five (5) counseling sessions per year to help resolve problems such as stress, emotional/mental problems, marital/family problems, financial difficulties, alcohol/drug abuse, work related difficulties, and grief & loss. Sessions are provided at no cost to the employee.

Health Coverage

The City of Abilene is self insured for health coverage and the plan is administered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) . If you are a regular, full-time employee, health coverage is available to you and your dependents. Your cost for participation will be deducted from your wages twice a month. (2008 Employee Rate Sheet). The health plan is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and includes a Prescription card. (2008 Benefit Highlights).

Section 125 Flexible Benefits

Under the flexible spending plan, your health, dental and vision insurance premiums may be pre-taxed. This is administered through PayFlex and is available to all regular full-time and part-time employees. Also, money may be set aside, pre-taxed, to cover medical expenses not covered by the health plan or for child care expenses. This is available to regular full-time and part-time employees.

Life Insurance

A $5,000 term life insurance policy is provided at no charge for regular full-time employees only who participate in the health insurance. Additional term life insurance may be purchased for the employee only. Also, for regular full-time and part-time employees participating in TMRS, life insurance is provided at no cost in the amount equal to your annual salary. Provided through Unum Provident Life Insurance company.

Dependent Life Insurance

A $5,000 term life insurance policy on a spouse and a $2,500 term life insurance policy on each child provided for regular full-time employees who participate in the health insurance at a cost of $1.92 per month. Provided through Unum Provident Life Insurance company.

Personal Accident Insurance

(PAI) This is accident insurance paid due to loss of an employee's or dependent's life, sight, or limb as the result of an accident occurring while covered. Payable regardless of any other insurance. PAI available through payroll deduction even if medical insurance is not taken. This is available to regular full-time and part-time employees. Provided through Unum Provident Life Insurance company.

Dental Insurance

Provided by Ameritas Group Insurance. Dental insurance is available to regular full-time and part-time employees. Payroll deduction available.

Vision Insurance

Provided by Ameritas Group Insurance. Vision insurance is available to regular full-time and part-time employees. Payroll deduction available.

Savings Bonds

Employees may purchase U.S. Government Savings Bonds and pay for them through payroll deduction.

Direct Deposit

Employees may elect to have their paycheck deposited directly into a savings or checking account of a Financial Institution of their choosing.

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