There are a wide variety of benefits available to City of Big Spring employees. These benefits include health, dental, life and disability insurance, optional life insurance plans, flexible spending account for health expenses, an Employee Assistance Program, and a Tuition Reimbursement Program.
The City of Big Spring provides the following benefits to all regular, full-time employees:
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Texas Municipal Retirement System
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Deferred Compensation (Retirement)
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Health Insurance
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Dental Insurance
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Life and Long Term Disability Insurance
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Cafeteria Plan
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Workman’s Compensation
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Longevity Pay for years of service
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Paid Uniforms
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Stand By Pay
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Paid Vacation and Sick Leave
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Paid Holidays
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Recreation Privileges
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Wellness Program
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Tuition Reimbursement Program
Texas Municipal Retirement System
The City of Big Spring is a member of the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS). Employee/employer supported retirement begins at the date of employment. An employee contributes seven percent of their monthly wages to TMRS. The City then matches the employee contribution two to 1 upon retirement. Employees are eligible to retire after 20 years of service. Retirement becomes vested after five years of participation in TMRS.
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Applicants with prior or current military could receive up to 60 months towards their retirement for TMRS.
Deferred Compensation (Retirement)
The 457b Deferred Compensation plan is provided to City employees in lieu of Social Security. Employees pay 6.7% of their adjusted gross salary. This amount is matched by the City as follows:
5.51% Contributed to the deferred compensation retirement
2.19% Pays for the life and disability insurance package
7.70% Total matched funds
Health Insurance
The City of Big Spring pays the cost of employees insurance and supplements the cost of dependent insurance. Dependent health insurance coverage is available at the following rates:
Family Coverage $832.45/Monthly $416.23/Bi-Weekly
Spouse Coverage $614.89/Monthly $307.45/Bi-Weekly
Child Coverage $305.45 /Monthly $152.73/Bi-Weekly
Payment for dependent health insurance coverage is deducted from employees’ bi-weekly paychecks. Pharmacy cards are included in the health insurance package. If dependent insurance coverage is purchased, dependents will also receive the pharmacy card.
Dental Insurance
Dental insurance coverage is available to City employees at the following rates:
Employee Only $22.08/Monthly $11.04/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Spouse $44.78/Monthly $22.39/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Children $49.64/Monthly $24.82/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Family $72.40/Monthly $36.20/Bi-Weekly
Payments for dental insurance are deducted from employees’ bi-weekly paychecks. Employees enrolled in the dental plan will also be eligible for the discount Vision Access program and receive discounts on vision care services or supplies.
Vision Insurance
Vision insurance coverage is available to City employees at the following rates:
Employee Only $8.02/Monthly $4.01/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Spouse $15.20/Monthly $7.60/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Children $16.02/Monthly $8.01/Bi-Weekly
Employee and Family $20.42/Monthly $10.21/Bi-Weekly
Payments for vision insurance are deducted from employees’ bi-weekly paychecks.
Life and Long Term Disability Insurance
The City of Big Spring’s life insurance policy provides for a death benefit equal to four times the employee’s annual salary. In addition to the standard life insurance, employees may purchase optional life insurance. The long term disability package ensures that in the event of a permanent disability , a maximum of 20% of the employee’s monthly salary is paid up to a maximum or $3,000.00 per month.
Cafeteria Plan (AFLAC)
The City provides a program to allow employees to tax shelter day care and certain medical expenses. This insurance provides a tax savings increasing the employee’s take home pay.
Workman’s Compensation
The City of Big Spring meets the standard state requirements for Workman’s Compensation. If an employee is injured on the job, he/she report the incident to the department supervisor immediately.
Longevity Pay for Years of Service
City employees are given longevity pay based on their length of service with the City of Big Spring. After one year of service, City employees receive longevity payments on their bi-weekly paycheck. After two years of service, employees are given the option to continue to receive a bi-weekly payment or they can elect to bank their longevity payments. Employees who bank their longevity payments will receive a lump sum payment once a year, prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Years of service Annual Bi-Weekly
1 to 9 $72.00 $2.77
10 to 14 $96.00 $3.70
15 to 19 $120.00 $4.62
20+ years $144.00 $5.54
Uniforms
The City provides uniforms for employees who are required to wear certain attire to work. Three to five uniforms are furnished to employees, along with other suitable foul weather and safety gear. Police and Fire Department personnel may have different benefits.
Stand By Pay
City employees in certain positions are eligible for stand-by pay. Stand-by pay is $75 for each week the employee is required to serve on stand-by time. Stand-by time means a period of time outside an employee's regularly scheduled work hours, during which the employee is required to remain available within a specified response time. Each employee on stand-by who is called in to work shall be compensated for the actual hours worked at the appropriate rate of pay.
Paid Vacation and Sick Leave
Paid vacation days are time off work that the City of Big Spring voluntarily provides its employees as a benefit. The number of paid vacation days is accrued by full-time, permanent employees based on years of service. Vacation time is accrued based on the following schedule:
Years of Service
1 to 2 5 days per year
3 to 4 10 days per year
5 to 9 15 days per year
10 to 14 17 days per year
15 to 19 18 days per year
20 to 24 19 days per year
20 + 20 days per year
The City of Big Spring also offers full-time permanent employees paid sick days as part of its comprehensive benefits package. Sick leave is accrued based on the following schedule:
Years of Service
1 to 2 5 days per year
3 to 4 10 days per year
5 to 9 12 days per year
10 + 15 days per year
Paid Holidays
The City of Big Spring recognizes the following public holidays for City employees. Please note that most City employees work on a Monday through Friday schedule. As such, when a holiday falls on a non workday - Saturday or Sunday - the holiday usually is observed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday).
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Presidents Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day and the day following
Christmas (two days given)
Recreation Privileges
City employees and their dependents receive free admission to Moss Lake. City employees must present their City identification card.
Wellness Program
In an effort to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors, the City of Big Spring has implemented a Wellness Program for its employees. By joining the Wellness Program, employees receive access to the following benefits:
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Tobacco Cessation Program
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Employee Assistance – counseling for chemical and/or alcohol abuse and mental health screenings
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Reduced cost gym memberships to the YMCA of Big Spring
Tuition Reimbursement Program
The City of Big Spring offers its full-time permanent employees a college Tuition Reimbursement Program. This program is designed to support employees with their personal and professional development by increasing their knowledge and skill level. The City reimburses employees for college tuition and books based on grades.
