Dental insurance not authorized

The Tipp City law director notified City Council members that no authorization can be found that allows them to receive dental insurance.

Council members have been offered city subsidized dental insurance, at the same rate paid by city employees, since the early 1990s. Law Director David Caldwell said that while medical insurance was authorized by a council vote, there was no evidence of a vote on the dental benefit.

The opinion followed city resident Steve Huffman’s questioning of the insurance’s legality. Council this summer voted to end council medical and dental insurance in 2016, when council pay will increase $1,000 to $5,000 a year.

Whether council members who have received dental insurance will have to repay the city has not been determined. Council took no action on Caldwell’s opinion, which was issued Monday, Oct. 7.

Three council members currently are receiving the dental insurance. NANCY BOWMAN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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