Applicants
Employees
Benefits
Forms
GEM Awards
Wellness Clinic
Workplace Wellness
Fitness Center

 

Quick Links

Council Agendas
Employment
Online Atlas
Boil Water Notices
Road Closures
Flood Information
Online Payments
Tax Incentives
Tax Information

Home Government Mayor's Office Media Holidays City Line City Council Agendas Minutes Ward Maps Administration Departments Building Code City Clerk Civil Service Courts Econ Development Engineering Finance Fire General Finance GIS Harbor Human Resources Legal Leisure Services Main Street Planning & Zoning Police Public Works Purchasing Urban Development Utility Billing Ordinances Employment eServices FAQ's Residents Emergency Prep Ward Maps Utilities eServices Permits Schools Recreation FAQ's Contact Us Business Tax Incentives Tax Information Business License Permits Main Street FAQ's Visitors Mayor's Welcome Transportation Relocating Education Healthcare Find Us

Human Resources - Benefits

The City of Gulfport values our employees and their families. Recognizing the impact of benefits in our employees’ lives, and striving to meet employees’ needs, the City makes a significant investment in employee benefits as an important part of each employee's total compensation.

---

Education Assistance

• The City of Gulfport is committed to helping employees of the City continue their education and develop in their professional careers. In keeping with this philosophy, the City has established an Educational Assistance Program to recognize the motivation of employees who choose to pursue higher and continuing education by reimbursing them for expenses incurred through approved accredited colleges or universities.

• Educational Assistance Packet

---

EAP (Employee Assistance Program)

The City of Gulfport is interested in the health and well being of all its employees and feels that the Employee Assistance Program provides invaluable resources when you and/or family members are having difficulties dealing with certain serious life issues.

• Effective January 1, 2010 our Employee Assistance Program is now with Cigna Behavioral Health. For more information, click here to view the new Cigna brochure so you will have access to the website and the toll free number which can be utilized 24/7. Should you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact Human Resources. The Cigna information will also available on the COG website.

• Cigna Flyer

• Cigna Website - http://www.cignabehavioral.com/CGI

---

FSA (Flexible Spending Account)

Sometimes referred to as a cafeteria plan, or a Section 125 Plan, a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) lets employees set aside a certain amount of each paycheck into an account – before paying income taxes.

During the year, participants have access to this account for reimbursement of expenses – not covered by insurance – which they regularly pay for such as:

• Deductibles, co-pays, and other eligible expenses not covered by insurance (see the attached list for more detailed information)

• Prescription drugs and medical supplies

• Dental services, orthodontics, and dentures

• Eyeglasses, contacts, solutions, and eye surgery

• Psychiatric care and psychologists’ fees

• Smoking cessation programs and over-the-counter drugs

• Pre-school and child daycare expenses (for dependents under age 13)

FAQ’s

• How much can I contribute to my FSA?
  You may contribute as little as $5 per pay period up to $3000 per year for your FSA Health account and as much as $5000 per year for your FSA Dependent Care Account.

• How do I get my money back?
  Debit cards are issued in place of filing for FSA medical reimbursements. Should you wish not to use the debit card, you can file a paper claim to Select Administrative Services for reimbursement. You pay up front for your medical/dependent care and submit a claim form and receipts for reimbursement. A check is issued to you in the amount of eligible expenses, up to your annual election. Checks are issued weekly by SAS. Claim forms are submitted in the plan year, which begins January 1st and ends December 31st. All claim forms must be received by March 31st.

• What happens if I don’t use all the money in my account?
  Each time you submit a claim, you will receive a report that tells you how much money you have left in your FSA. If you haven't used all your money by the last month of the year, it may be a good time to buy new glasses or get that dental work you've been putting off. If at the end of the plan year you still have money remaining in your account, this money is forfeited back to your employer.

When estimating your expenses, use this worksheet to help. It is best to estimate low the first year you participate in the FSA to ensure that you don’t contribute more than you will spend. You can always increase your contributions next year.

When employees use tax-free dollars to pay for these expenses, they realize an increase in their spending power and substantial tax savings!

• SAS - FSA Claim Form
• SAS - Dependent Claim Form

---

Insurance

• Health
  The City of Gulfport pays a certain percentage toward the employee and dependent premium costs based on their chosen medical option. Our plan utilizes a PPO network, includes a prescription drug benefit, and becomes effective after eligible employees complete a 90 day waiting period. See the benefits summary (option I, option II, option III) and the summary plan description for more information.

  • Select Administrative Services - https://www.selectadministrativeservices.com/

  • PPO Directory - http://www.firstchoiceselect.com

• Enhanced (Discounted)  Pharmacy Program 

Effective July 1, 2012, you can receive discounted prescriptions by having your prescriptions filled at the following pharmacies.  

• Dental
  Dental insurance covers plan participants’ dental services including preventative, basic, & major services. See the dental benefits summary (option I, option II) and the summary plan description for more information.

  • Select Administrative Services - https://www.selectadministrativeservices.com/

  • Dental Claim Form

  • SAS Dental Providers

• Life
  The City of Gulfport covers each employee with $50,000 term life or accidental death & dismemberment insurance. This benefit is provided at no cost to employees.

  • CIGNA Life Insurance

  • CIGNA Accidental Death & Dismemberment Policy

• Vision
  Vision insurance includes exams, glasses (frames & lenses) and contact lenses.

  • VSP - Website

  • Policy Manual

  • Online Provider Directory - Find a VSP Doctor

• Supplemental Insurance
  The City of Gulfport has partnered with Cigna and Unum to offer supplemental insurance to employees at discounted rates. If an employee chooses to enroll in an AFLAC policy, insurance premiums can be payroll deducted. Employees must self-enroll by calling 228.832.8853.

---

Paid Time Off

Holiday Pay

City employees received 10 paid holidays per year observed on the following dates. Employees who are scheduled to work on these holidays are compensated by receiving 1.5 times their regular hourly pay rate during those hours worked.

Fire & Police shift personnel may accrue Holiday Comp Time – or paid time off in lieu of holiday pay. Holiday Comp Time can be used as annual leave, but cannot be cashed out upon resignation.

• Holidays Observed

Annual Leave

• City employees accrue 2 weeks of annual leave per year. After an employee’s 5th anniversary, the accrual rate is graduated according to the specified accrual rate.
  An employee who leaves the City may “cash out” up to 240 hours of annual leave upon their resignation date.

Sick Leave

• Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 8 hours per month after the first 30 days of employment.
  Sick leave cannot be “cashed out” upon an employee’s resignation, but can be certified to PERS.

Bereavement Leave

• In the event of the death of an immediate family member, an employee may receive 24 hours of bereavement leave to be taken on the day of the funeral service and to make necessary arrangements beforehand.
  An employee may not take Bereavement Leave in the days following the funeral service, but may take Annual Leave as approved by his or her Department Director.

School Leave

• Employees with school-aged dependents are eligible for 4 hours of School Leave per year. School Leave is designed to allow employees time to attend school functions with his or her children.

Military Leave

• Employees who serve in the Armed Forced either on active duty or in reserves are granted Military Leave when they receive orders to report for duty.
  Employees taking Military Leave should present a copy of their orders to their Department Directors and to the Human Resources Department.
  Employees on Military Leave will receive 15 days of paid leave not experience a loss of seniority or pay during their service time and will continue to accrue benefits while on paid leave (including Annual and Sick Leave).

---

PERS/Deferred Comp Overview

• The Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi (PERS) is the retirement system for eligible public employees who work as regular employees for state agencies, universities, community colleges, public schools, as well as certain counties and cities in the state of Mississippi.
  
  Membership in PERS is a benefit afforded to eligible public employees of member agencies, and is financed by contributions made by the employees and their employers and the earnings on these contributions.
  
  Participation in PERS is required for all full-time and part-time plus employees of the City of Gulfport. Certain part-time employees may also be required to participate in the plan.

• PERS Website

---

Workman’s Comp

• If you are injured on the job, it is important to let us know. Immediately report the injury to your manager or supervisor, or if he/she is not available, the next person in your chain of command. If the injury requires non-emergency medical attention, report to the employee clinic. If you require emergency care, report to the nearest hospital’s emergency room.
  You must also complete a first report of injury form within 24 hours of the injury and forward it to Human Resources.

• First Report of Injury Form

City of Gulfport, Mississippi - Office of the Mayor
P.O. Box 1780 | Gulfport, MS 39502 | (228) 868-5700