A health and wellness policy drew Town of Vermilion council attention for an unreported increase in the benefits.
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“We already had the health and wellness policy approved under the compensation benefits policy for administration,” said Shannon Harrower, Town of Vermilion CAO. “The limit that had been previously approved and endorsed by council was $500.
“We’re bringing it forward to you now with a $1,000 allotment instead. It’s my understanding that in 2025 the budget was approved with sufficient money to allot for $1,000 per employee.”
Brian Leibel, director of corporate services, says the only change in the policy is the increase from $500 to $1,000.
“It has been allotted for already within the 2025 budget,” he said, explaining what the policy does for Vermilion staff.
“It’s a benefit for staff in that they are offered reimbursement for health-related expenses including sport, fitness and recreation in order to reduce sick time of staff and promote health and wellbeing, physical and mental,” said Leibel.
Council asked why the item wasn’t proposed to council during budget discussions.
“When we’re going through budget negotiations, the focus was getting the budget in place,” said Leibel. “The policy itself would take time to edit and change.”
Coun. Robert Snow says he was concerned with the item not being raised during budget discussions.
“I think it’s a great thing to have. I think it’s really important we support staff this way,” said Snow. “To Councillor Martin’s question, I feel a little concerned that, even though we didn’t have the numbers set out, this wasn’t brought up in a budget item. I would’ve preferred to see that.”
A concern is where the money is coming from to pay for this increase.
“I’m not sure how we’re allocating for it now, where that’s coming from. Are we taking away from somewhere else to bring this in now,” he said. “I feel like the cart got in front of the horse there.”
Council has the option to move this item to the 2026 budget if they choose. The motion was made to approve the policy, not wanting the oversight to affect staff.
“I understand the sense around the council table,” said Coun. Robert Pulyk. “I just see this as a slight oversight by administration in not bringing forward the bump up just to bring it to our attention.
“Having said that, I hate to see this being retracted because of the slight oversight.”
“This program does help our staff out,” said Pulyk, acknowledging rising costs.
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