City Commissioners in Garnett have voted down a claim from Commissioner Greg Gwin, asking for back payment of City Retirement Plan Premiums over the last 13 years. Gwin made the claim in November, claiming he was never told he qualified for the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System after he and fellow Commissioners approved a raise in 2008, which made them eligible due to income qualifications. His claim seeks the City’s matching portion of what would have been his regular contribution. Mayor Bridgette Brechhiesen Huss and Commissioner Jody Cole, say while they did not believe the City had been negligent, they would be open to an option to create a non-KPERS Retirement Plan for Gwinn with the balance of the funds. City Attorney Terry Solander cited various provisions in Statutes of Limitations of generally 10 years for similar claims. Also saying he could find no legal requirement mandating that cities advise elected officials of such benefits if and when they are available.
But, Gwin hinted the decision might not be the end of the issue, saying it was a poor way to treat employees and the claim wasn’t asking for any damages and, it was as cheap as it could be. He says his plan “B” would not be so cheap.
