Employee Benefits

The City of Columbia proudly offers a generous, comprehensive employee benefits package including medical, dental, vision, basic and voluntary life insurances; retirement plan; disability; vacation, sick and holiday time.  

Please refer to the Benefit Guide(PDF) for a detailed description of benefits available to full time employees.

Personnel Policies and Procedures Handbook

The main purpose of the policies set forth in the City of Columbia's Personnel Policies & Procedure Handbook is to establish a high degree of understanding, cooperation, efficiency and unity among employees of the City of Columbia, fostered by a systematic application of good procedures in personnel management. Another purpose is to provide uniform policies for all employees with all the benefits such a program ensures, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability or political affiliation. For questions regarding the Personnel Policies & Procedure Handbook or to request a copy, email Krissy McNeely or Tara Ferry or call (931) 560-1570.

Medical Coverage

Eligible employees are entitled to medical coverage on the first day of the month following 60 days from their hire date.  The City’s plan is self-funded and administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield and is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Network S.  To find an in-network provider in Tennessee, please visit Blue Cross Blue Shield website. 

Prescription

The City of Columbia offers generic medications at a zero dollar copay for employees on the City’s insurance.  Some generic over the counter (OTC) medications can also be covered at the zero dollar copay, with a written prescription from the employee’s provider. Certain name brand OTCs with a written prescription have a $1.00 copay.

Employee Clinic

Full time employees and dependents that are on the City’s insurance are eligible to receive Urgent Care services through Maury Regional Urgent Care (Trotwood location only) at no cost to them for most services.  The Urgent Care serves as the City’s Clinic and can treat employees on or off shift whenever the Urgent Care is open.  

Dental Coverage 

Eligible employees are offered dental coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield.  Employees have the option to choose from two plans, to best fit the needs of their family.  

Vision Coverage

Vision is covered as a rider under the medical plan and employees can use any provider they choose.  Annual eye exams are covered at a $20 copay.  Frames are covered every other calendar year up to a $75 allowance and lenses are covered every calendar year up to an $85 allowance.  Contact lenses are covered in lieu of glasses up to a $150 allowance.  

For more detailed information on any of the plans, please review the following documents:

Evidence of Coverage - Medical (PDF)

Evidence of Coverage - Dental (PDF)

Summary of Benefits and Coverage (PDF)

Retirement Plan

The City of Columbia offers full-time employees opportunities to save for their retirement.   The City’s current retirement plan is administered by ICMA-RC.  It offers benefits through a 401(a) and 457(b) plan. There is a mandatory 4% participation in the 401(a) plan, which the City matches at 4%.   

Employees also have the option to contribute to a 457(b).  The City will contribute 2% into the 401(a) plan if the employee elects 2% or more to the 457of the employee’s contribution.  

Employees have the opportunity to enroll, monitor, and manage their own retirement account(s) through the ICMA website. 

To learn more visit the ICMA website. 

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The City of Columbia offers work/life benefits through an EAP.  This benefit is available to full time employees and their families and offers access to confidential, professional counseling services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  The EAP provides services including but not limited to EAP Counseling, Legal Services, Financial Services, and Work Life Services.  

Flexible Spending Account

Tax-saving Medical Reimbursement and Dependent Care plans are available. Employees can tax defer for medical and child care expenses up to limits set by the government.  More information can be found in the Summary Plan Description.  

Life Insurance

Basic Life Insurance is offered by the City to full time employees at no cost.  Employees are eligible upon the first of the month following 90 days of full time employment.  This policy pays one times the employee’s annual salary (double indemnity for accidental death and dismemberment).  

Employees have the option to purchase additional life insurance and AD&D for themselves and their spouses through the City’s preferred rate.  Child Life policies can also be purchases for eligible dependents.  

Long Term Disability

Long-Term Disability coverage is provided to all full-time employees at no cost to the employee.  Employees become eligible upon the first of the month following 90 days of full time employment.  This benefit can pay up to 60% of the base salary following a 180 day elimination period.

Supplemental Insurance

Full-time employees may elect voluntary insurance coverage such as Short-Term Disability, Accident Insurance, and Critical Care Insurance.  

Long Term Care

The City of Columbia provides all full time employees with 2 years of full time employment Long Term Care Insurance.  There is no cost to the employee and this benefit provides a monthly benefit of $2,000 for the 24 months for approved claims.  

Muletown Recreation

Full and part time City employees qualify for a free twelve (12) month membership at Muletown Rec.  Twelve month family memberships are available to City employees at a discounted rate of 50% off the regular price.    

Paid Leave

Vacation Leave - Full-time employees accrue vacation leave according to their years of service (please view the policy for specific information)  

Sick Leave - Full-time employees accrue one sick day per month.

Holidays - The City has 12 paid holidays per year;  New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and day after, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.  Full time employees also are granted 2 floating holidays per year.  

Sick Leave Pool

Full time employees that are members of the sick leave pool can be covered for an absence to help alleviate potential financial hardship up to 1000 hours (1350 for Fire Suppression) of paid sick leave.  

Open Enrollment

For information regarding open enrollment, please view this PowerPoint presentation. Open Enrollment Presentation