Team Orange:
that allows money to be set aside for discretionary spending. LSAs are customizable and can be used for a variety of wellbeing opportunities. An LSA differs from a traditional HSA or FSA as staff will be taxed on the dollars they spend. The County holds the discretion for the types of wellness expenses staff may engage in. While still under consideration, some examples could include gym membership, martial arts, yoga, approved therapies, etc. During the pilot, each staff member will receive $200 contributed quarterly to the employee LSA account. Funds that are not spent by the end of the plan year are returned to the County. Finally, the Board authorized us to pursue the option with VRS of converting unused sick leave at the time of retirement to additional service credit. This process is governed by VRS rules, so I won ’ t try to summarize it here, but further information will be provided in the weeks ahead. Staff members planning to retire within the next 12 months should ask HR about how this new benefit could help with your plans. Collectively, these are steps in helping employees create work - life balance. We know that healthy and happy employees are able to deliver service excellence to our community, so investing in employee well - being benefits everyone.
With our FY25 budget adopted, on June 11th HR Director Jenny Carpenter presented the proposed rates for health
insurance and related employee benefits to the Board of Supervisors for consideration. I am pleased to share that for yet another year there will be no increases to employee premiums for our health insurance programs. Instead, we will be able to reduce premiums for dependent tiers. Additionally, we were able to increase the annual dental benefit overall maximum from $1,200 to $2,000 and increase the orthodontia benefit from $1,000 to $2,000. This has been part of a concerted effort to bring our total pay and benefits program to a competitive level in our tight regional labor market. But, that ’ s not all! For the new plan year, Orange County will begin participating in the “ Anthem Engagement Package 200,” a wellbeing solution that incentivizes staff to focus on areas of preventative care, condition management, and wellness. Plan members will be reimbursed for visiting their physician for things such as an annual physical, annual eye exam, mammogram, and flu shot just to name a few. The Board also authorized us to pilot a Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) program for full - time employees. An LSA is an employer - sponsored benefit
Ted Voorhees Orange County Administrator
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Cover Photo: The Michael ’ s Mile Color Fun Run begins with a “ Color Powder Cloud. Learn more on page 19. Photo Credit: Erika Zollinger
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