The Geneva Town Board has taken the first step toward changing the town’s employee health insurance provider in a move expected to save taxpayers approximately $70,000 annually without reducing benefits.
Board members recently approved a resolution authorizing the town to apply to join the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium, the same municipal insurance group the City of Geneva joined two years ago.
Town Supervisor Mark Venuti said the idea gained momentum after the Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District joined the consortium last year. Venuti, who serves on that board, said the experience prompted town officials to explore whether the consortium could benefit Geneva as well.
“We looked into it, and we can save about $70,000 if we change to the consortium versus the plan that we have now, and we can get the same coverage,” Venuti said during a recent appearance on FLX Morning.
Venuti said the consortium is governed by its municipal members, giving participating communities a voice in its operation.
“It’s basically run by the municipalities,” he said. “We get a seat on the board. They even have a committee of union people to look at it from that aspect, so it looks really good, and we’re going to move in that direction.”
The town must submit its application by Aug. 1. Final approval is expected in October or November, with the new health insurance plan anticipated to take effect in 2027 if the application is approved.
