Health benefits offered to town staff will not be extended to members of council.

At its June 2 meeting, council reviewed a proposal to extend dental, extended health-care and disability benefits to council members at an estimated annual cost of $29,000.

Vision care is already covered through an in-house health spending account.

Deputy Mayor Dale Shippelt said the proposal was somewhat unprecedented, as no previous council had been offered or received health benefits.

“I would not support this coming out of the town coffers,” he said, noting council members are already compensated and can purchase their own benefit plans.

Coun. Ken Moesker agreed, saying the $29,000 cost would be a tough sell to residents and taxpayers.

Benefit provider Sun Life had offered to make a presentation to council. However, Moesker said that likely would not be necessary, as he had no interest in introducing benefits for council members.

Council accepted the report for information.

For 2026, council approved nearly $1.54 million in spending on employee benefits across nine departments.

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