Health Insurance Decision Divides Westminster Council

In Westminster Tuesday night, a close 4-3 vote allowed the mayor and council members to join the state’s health insurance plan for employees, despite concerns over the potential burden on the city’s budget and the struggles faced by many senior citizens in the community.

Councilwoman Audrey Reese cast the deciding vote, enabling the city’s elected officials to qualify for the South Carolina Public Employee Benefits Authority (PEBA). This decision sparked tension with fellow councilwoman Daby Snipes, who sits next to Reese and argued that it was unfair to Westminster residents. Snipes cited remarks from Judy Caywood, the leader of Westminster Seniors, to support her stance…

A contrary vote would have barred council members from participating in this one-time irrevocable option. Currently, only Mayor Brian Ramey is covered, and it remains uncertain whether any of the six council members will choose to enroll. He said the benefits are something that encourage people to serve…

Ramey issued the following clarifying comments. He said, “We did not vote to ‘opt in’ to the healthcare. Elected officials have already been eligible for years. ‘PEBA’ required a vote to either continue as we have been or to stop allowing elected officials to participate….Most council members have no desire or need to participate.” And, as for his participation, the mayor said, “I had to because my wife is enrolled through the school district and ‘PEBA’ would not allow her to cover me since I work for the city.”