The Port Townsend City Council voted 6-1 to approve a resolution providing basic healthcare coverage for councilmembers in its Monday business meeting.

Councilmember Monica Mickhager was the only elected official to vote against the resolution.

Out of seven options presented for health coverage, the councilmembers selected Option B, which will involve executing a master plan agreement with the Association of Washington Cities to form a workgroup for heath coverage based on existing plans and policies.

“I wanted to speak in favor of Option B, balanced coverage,” Councilmember Aislinn Diamanti said. “The smell test to me was matching to what was already in the current policies.”

The move makes Port Townsend one of the few cities of its size to potentially offer basic health insurance to city councilmembers. 

The six other options included Option A, choosing not to participate and dropping the resolution; Option C, changing the Port Townsend Municipal Code to include consideration of healthcare, and returning after further research for a recommendation; Option D, creating an ad hoc committee to review the resolution; Option E, voting to implement healthcare coverage for future city councils after the next election for Port Townsend City Council; Option F, benefits are made available and councilmembers must pay 100 percent of the insurance premiums; and Option G, creating a council workgroup for coverage and limiting health plans and policies to councilmembers and not dependents such as a spouse or children.

Councilmembers Diamanti, Libby Wennstrom, Ben Thomas, and Amy Howard spoke in favor of Option B, while Monica Mickhager and Owen Rowe favored Options D or E.

Mickhager favored the formation of an ad hoc committee to review the health coverage option.

“We are elected, that’s what we are,” she said. “We are not employees. So I have a difficult time getting over the edge of being worried about fairness here. We are a different animal.”

“We’ve set aside the money to do this now; it’s open enrollment right now,” Wennstrom said. “We have the information in front of us, I think it’s time to make a decision.”

Similar-sized municipalities such as Sequim, Poulsbo, and Gig Harbor do not supply councilmembers with health coverage.

The city council also approved its 2023 city budget in Monday’s meeting, which included $50,000 dedicated to optional health coverage for councilmembers.

The healthcare coverage doesn’t include dental, vision, or other services apart from medical and hospitalization coverage. Newly-elected officials will be allowed to join the healthcare plan when they assume their elected positions.

At least four or more councilmembers must participate in the healthcare option or else it will be terminated. If desired, the city council can also vote to cancel the healthcare option.