Update: Council tables vote on employee vaccine incentives
The Rochester City Council voted Monday to table a decision on whether to implement an employee incentive program related to Covid-19 vaccinations.
Council President Brooke Carlson joined three others on the council in suggesting the city wait until it has a better understanding of what the federal requirements will be before considering an incentive program.
“I don’t feel ready to vote to allocate $300,000 to do this when we know there is more direction coming from [the Occupational Safety and Health Administration] very soon,” said Carlson.
As proposed, the incentive program would provide employees who submit proof of vaccination with upwards of $330. The funding would be awarded to employees who have already turned in their vaccine documentation, as well as those who do so in the future.
Deputy City Administrator Aaron Parrish told the council that the program could help mitigate testing and insurance costs in the long run. Under President Joe Biden’s plan, employers of 100 or more would have to require workers be vaccinated or submit to regular testing.
“The more folks we get vaccinated, the better we can manage our expenses within those areas,” said Parrish.
Council Member Patrick Keane was among the minority of councilors who voted against tabling the item. Keane said he saw the program as a proactive step toward getting more city staff vaccinated.
“I like doing these incentives before, more [than] likely, we’re going to have more harsh actions in the near future,” said Keane.
Council Member Molly Dennis also voted against the motion — though her reasoning was that she wanted to see the motion struck down altogether. She suggested that city workers who are not vaccinated should have to participate in testing on their own dime.
Dennis also said she talked to constituents who were not in favor of the cash incentive.
“They think it’s too high,” said Dennis. “They think it’s not using taxpayer money wisely.”
Original story from 9/17/21:
The Rochester City Council will consider a proposal on Monday to give financial incentives to city employees who get vaccinated for Covid-19.
If approved, full-time workers who show proof of vaccination would receive upwards of $330 each (seasonal staff would receive less). The cost — which would be about $300,000 if most workers participated — would be covered by funds allocated to the city under the American Rescue Plan Act.
The proposal comes on the heels of President Joe Biden’s sweeping new mandate that would direct employers of 100 or more workers to require their staff either be vaccinated or tested for the virus weekly.
While the mandate has not yet been implemented — court challenges are expected — city administration believes the incentive program could serve as proactive step toward reducing costs in the long-run.
“While [the cost] is not insignificant, we would also expect expenses for testing in the future as guidance from OSHA and the Federal government evolves,” wrote Linda Hillenbrand, the city’s director of human resources, in a memo posted in the council’s agenda packet.
As of this week, 618, or 69 percent, of the 898 full-time city employees have submitted documentation showing they have been vaccinated.
Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.
