Standard Format Tentative Budget Submission - Southwest Florida ...

The Siver report also summarized some of the issues that must be addressed if the water management
districts were to create a combined self-insurance pool. First, the districts would need to agree on a
legal structure, participation eligibility and commitments, management of the organization, procurement
methodology, and plan design. The districts would also need to agree upon rate structure, allocation of
costs, and financing methodology.
SWFWMD has a fully insured product that supports continued cost savings while maintaining benefit
levels for staff. The water management districts continue to explore options individually, as well as,
collectively to standardize benefits and control health insurance costs for both the employee and
employer.
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[1] Correspondence dated August 24, 2011, from Governor Scott to Mr. W. Leonard Wood, Chair, Governing Board
of the St. Johns River Water Management District, available at:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/watman/files/082411/wood.pdf
[2] Initially, there was a concern regarding whether the water management districts had legal authority to join their
plans together. However, SB1986, passed by the legislature and approved by the Governor on April 20, 2012,
specifically authorizes water management districts to pool their resources for the provision of group insurance for
their employees.
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