CLINTONVILLE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The City of Clintonville won’t be taking a new approach to try to raise its employee vaccination rate.
The city council passed on a plan Tuesday night to have two tiers of insurance premium coverage. Those who are not vaccinated would have had to pay more than those who have received the shot.
29% of Clintonville city employees are vaccinated against COVID-19, about 26% lower than the rate for all adults in Waupaca County.
“There is a financial risk to the city both in the terms of if we have a significant number of people who are hospitalized, it does drive up the insurance cost. That then results in higher premiums,” said Sharon Eveland, Clintonville’s administrator.
Eveland proposed a plan where vaccinated employees would continue to contribute 14.5% to 15.5% of their insurance premiums. Unvaccinated employees would contribute 24% to 25%. Eligible dependents would have also needed to show proof of vaccination for better family coverage.
“ We are trying to not dictate this, but we’re trying to say if you choose not to then this is what the city has to do to protect itself and its finances.”
The difference is between $26 and $71 per pay period depending on whether your full time and/or management.
“I’m just here to say I don’t think that would be a fair thing to do,” said Andy Arrieta while addressing the council. “It’s like the other gentleman said, we’re looking for things to bring us together and unify us and I think that would be a very divisive thing.”
Most of Clintonville’s city council also voiced their opposition to the plan.
“This is still America and you still have a choice to do what you want,” said Steve Kettenhoven, a city council member.
“I don’t ever want to see it, but I’m afraid COVID is going to have to hit at home before they advance,” said Brad Rokus, a city council member.
“I went to enough domestics in my life, I’ll tell you this is exactly what this is going to cause,” said Mark Zachow, a city council member and former police officer.
The council opted to not take a vote on the proposal.
Administrator Eveland says it is unlikely to come up again in the future.
Eveland says she did not know of any other municipality in the state that was proposing a similar insurance plan.
She says she is against mandating the vaccine for employees.
