At the heart of the discussion was the financial bleeding of the city’s retirement system and the need to comply with state law, which mandates the provision of a pension plan if one is removed. While the finance director highlighted the substantial savings with the adoption of FRS, concerns were raised about the immediate benefit accrual for elected officials. A commissioner voiced reservations about receiving a monetary benefit without full vesting, bringing forth the issue of moral conflict.

Further complicating the transition, there were debates about the process of transferring unvested money from the old pension plan to the FRS. The pension attorney, Pedro Herrera, clarified that there was no legal obstacle to this transfer and that it was a routine procedure. However, there were opposing views on whether beneficiaries should have immediate access to these funds once transferred. Some commissioners favored restricting this immediate access, debating the specific rules and limitations of different retirement vehicles, such as the 401 plans, and the authority of the commission to enact rules potentially contradicting federal regulations.

The transition’s impact on the city budget and potential implications for attracting talent to Sweetwater was also a topic of concern. The commission wrestled with finding a balance between financial savings and ethical considerations. In the discussion, the potential impact on elected officials was particularly noted, with an anticipated annual savings of $800,000 juxtaposed against the reduction in retirement benefits for those officials.

The debate also included the need for a vehicle to roll over existing funds into the FRS. A commissioner highlighted moral conflict over the language of the ordinance that would govern this process. Proposals to amend the language, adherence to IRS guidelines for 401 contributions, and the possibility of establishing a separate city-sponsored IRA with a one-year vesting period were all discussed. The Mayor underscored the importance of following FRS guidelines and recommended that commissioners consult with the auditor to address any lingering concerns.

In addition to the retirement system overhaul, the commission addressed an amendment to the ordinance related to the number of COVID-19 tests required by employees before returning to work. The revised ordinance, which underwent a second reading and public hearing, eliminated retroactivity and introduced provisions for the reimbursement of specific medical deductibles. This measure was passed following a roll call vote.