Frequently Asked Questions

The City offers a variety of options for employees and their family. Medical, dental and vision plans include spouse, children, and family coverage, in addition to employee only coverage. There is no waiting period for these benefits and are effective from date of hire. For full information on current plans and premium schedules, contact Human Resources.

The City now has a contract for direct primary care services with Next Level Urgent Care at no cost to full-time employees and their dependents, regardless of the health plan they choose to enroll in. This allows employees and their dependents to be seen at any Next Level Urgent Care, giving employees the peace of mind when it comes to their health.

TMRS is the primary retirement plan offered by the City. Participation is mandatory and becomes effective on the first day of employment. Your tax deferred contribution will be 7% of your gross income and the City's contribution is approximately twice that amount, depending on actuarial determinations (7%, 2:1). You may retire with benefits after five (5) years of service at age 60 or with 20 years of service at any age. If you should die while still in the City's employment, TMRS provides a death benefit payable to your beneficiary that would equal approximately your current annual salary. If you are a retiree, your death benefit would be $7,500.

The City recognizes ten paid holidays for full-time employees:

• New Years’ Day
• MLK Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day following Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day
• One additional Christmas holiday

Employees accrue vacation each pay period based on years of service. Vacation may be used for paid time off work, subject to approval by the supervisor. For full-time employees, the accrual rates are:

• Four (4) years of service or less - 6.667 hours per month
• Start of the fifth (5th) year of service but fewer than 12 years of service - 10 hours per month
• At the start of the twelfth (12th) year of service - 13.333 hours per month
• At the start of the twentieth (20th) year of service - 16.667 hours per month

The accrual rates for shift Fire Department personnel are:

• Four (4) years of service or less - 10 hours per month
• Start of the fifth (5th) year of service but fewer than 12 years of service - 15 hours per month
• At the start of the twelfth (12th) year of service - 20 hours per month
• At the start of the twentieth (20th) year of service - 25 hours per month

Sick leave with pay shall be granted when an employee has a physical incapacity not incurred in the line of duty, a personal illness or immediate family member illness, or enforced quarantine. Sick leave shall be accrued at the rate of 120 hours per year for all full-time personnel. For Fire Department shift personnel, they shall accrue 180 hours per year. 

The City also developed a sick leave incentive program to reward good attendance by annually converting a portion of their unused sick leave into vacation if the employee elects. Full-time employees with 12 months of service are eligible to convert leave time based on the following:

• 0 Days taken: May convert 3 days of sick to vacation
• Up to 1.5 days taken: May convert 2 days of sick to vacation
• More than 1.5 days but not more than 3 days: May convert 1 day of sick to vacation

Personal leave is provided to employees at the rate of 8 hours (12 for Shift Fire personnel) per quarter for all full-time employees at the beginning of each quarter (January, April, July, and October). Personal Leave does not accrue beyond the calendar year and unused hours shall be paid at the end of each year. Employees may use personal leave for any purpose, subject to approval by their supervisor.

Most employees work a 9/80 schedule (work 80 hours in nine days, with a tenth work day scheduled off). Some departments also work 12-hour shifts, others work four 10-hour shifts in a week, and our fire department works a 48 hours on and 96 hour off schedule. These flexible schedules allow a greater work life balance for employees and reduce the number of times an employee has to commute in a given work week.

Tuition reimbursement will be provided for tuition costs up to $5,000 per year offered by accredited educational institutions. Reimbursement is provided as an incentive for employees to improve their skills and upgrade their performance by assisting employees with educational assistance for courses directly related to the essential functions of their present job, or in line with a position that the City believes an employee can reasonably achieve. Classes and course work must be completed on the employee's own time, maintain a grade average of "C" or better, and this benefit is coordinated with and secondary to any other source of funds you may receive for the purpose of attending classes. If an employee takes a leave of absence for educational purposes, they will not be eligible for tuition reimbursement.

The City provides a $30,000 Life and AD&D policy at no cost to the employee. An additional $90,000 policy ($120,000 total) is provided for fire fighters and police officers. Employees are given the option to purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their dependents.

The City provides disability insurance for periods of extended disability due to an accident or illness. Coverage is generally available after the elimination period of 30 days or 90 days, whichever applies.

The City offers voluntary participation in a 457 tax deferred compensation plan through MissionSquare Retirement Corporation (formerly ICMA-RC). This allows employees to defer amount of compensation on a pre-tax basis under existing regulations. The City does not match any deferred compensation, but offers it as an alternative investment opportunity. The City also offers an optional Roth IRA through MissionSquare as well.

The City of West University Place participates in Social Security.

The City offers a free program that can assist and refer employees who have the need for help with personal problems that can adversely affect his or her health and job performance. The program is confidential and professional assistance is there to help you and your immediate family members. 

After completion of one year of service, full-time employees are eligible for longevity pay. Longevity pay is $5.00 per month will be provided for each year of service rendered to the City. Longevity pay is in addition to base salary and is paid annually in December.

Upon approval of your department director, training schools are available to employees who are required to attend mandatory training for certification purposes or maintain certification at the City's expense.