El Dorado County Ends Retiree Health Benefits for Some New Workers
On Jan. 26, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors ended retiree health benefits for new and most rehired county employees, the Sacramento Business Journal reports.
The cuts will affect nonunion employees who were unaffected by last year's benefit reductions.
The county worked out the cuts with eight bargaining groups that represent county workers. Officials also imposed the cuts on three union bargaining units that refused to negotiate the changes.
El Dorado County hired 52 employees in 2009. The cuts apply to rehires, but they will not affect people who were rehired after a staffing reduction.
Experts say it could take years for the county to feel the effects of the policy change because of low hiring rates during the economic downturn.
Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties have imposed similar benefit cuts in an effort to reduce spending (Robertson, Sacramento Business Journal, 2/5).
New Autism Registry
Meanwhile, El Dorado County recently unveiled a new registry designed to help law enforcement officials handle cases dealing with autistic residents more effectively.
The registry includes caregiver-provided information on an autistic resident's physical characteristics, temperament, and preferences -- such as places, names, or commands -- and dislikes (Locke, Sacramento Bee, 2/4).
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