CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Memo Date: September 16, 2024
Agenda Date: September 24, 2024
Prepared By: Tammy Gemmati, Administrative Services Director
Through: Stockton Whitten, City Manager
Requested Action:
title
Approve Resolution 2024-092 Amending Fiscal Year 2024 Budget, BAF #24-133-A; Requesting settlement authority for the tentative settlement agreement between City of Cocoa Police Officer Benjamin Landis and the City of Cocoa authorizing the payment of the Workers’ Compensation settlement. End
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Cocoa has a self-insured Workers’ Compensation Program which means the cost of the claims are paid by a third-party administrator, currently USIS, Inc., to administer the claims in accordance with the laws of Florida.
Police Officer Benjamin Landis has reached a settlement agreement in the amount of $100,000 through his attorney and the City’s Workers’ Compensation attorney. This will settle any and all claims, whether open or closed and whether reported or not.
The City budgets annually for Workers’ Compensation claim settlements in the Workers’ Comp Fund/Workers’ Compensation account #520-1801-513.24-00. Due to prior settlements this Fiscal Year, staff is requesting approval to amend the Budget and move the additional budget needed from the Workers’ Compensation Settlements account. As a condition of this settlement, Mr. Landis will immediately resign from City of Cocoa employment. City Staff recommends this settlement amount based on our Workers’ Compensation attorney’s evaluation of the claim. However, the settlement agreement is contingent based on City Council’s final approval due to it exceeding the City Manager’s authority.
STRATEGIC PLAN CONNECTION:
Organizational Effectiveness
BUDGETARY IMPACT:
Budgeted No
If not budgeted, is amendment/transfer attached? Yes
BAF#24-133A
Amount Requested $100,000
Account Number 520-0000-369.90.06
Account Name Workers’ Compensation Settlements
Amount Requested $100,000
Account Number 520-1801-513.24-00
Account Name Workers’ Compensation
PREVIOUS ACTION:
N/A
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Recommendation
Approve Resolution 2024-092 Amending Fiscal Year 2024 Budget, BAF #24-133-A; Requesting settlement authority for the tentative settlement agreement between City of Cocoa Police Officer Benjamin Landis and the City of Cocoa authorizing the payment of the Workers’ Compensation settlement.