The Association of Washington Cities (AWC) recently released a list of 105 cities, towns, and other local governments that have earned the distinguished WellCity Award. The City of Washougal is among this year’s recipients. This recognition is bestowed to entities that meet the AWC Employee Benefit Trust’s stringent WellCity standards and demonstrate a commitment to employee health.
Award recipients are all part of the AWC Employee Benefit Trust (Trust), Washington State’s largest local government employee health benefit pool for cities, towns, and other local governments. The Trust provides health benefits to more than 270 public entities and more than 36,000 employees and family members across the state.
When an employer meets the WellCity standards, they earn a 2% discount on their medical premiums. For the City of Washougal this is a savings of an estimated $27,347.67 for 2021.
“Employers that place employee health among their core values, and demonstrate that belief through healthy workplace policies, environments, and wellness programs, empower their employees to value and maintain good health. Both the employer and the community benefit from more productive employees, it’s a win for everyone,” said Peter B. King, AWC Chief Executive Officer.
“Many of our programs are designed toward behavioral changes, like exercising on a regular basis and eating more nutritional meals, because healthy lifestyle changes can lead to reducing or minimizing health risks and decreasing medial costs,” said Washougal Mayor Molly Coston. “Our team based programs promote a competitive spirit and support our fellow colleagues.”
A complete list of the cities and public entities that earned this year’s award can be found at https://wacities.org/data-resources/city-awards/wellcity-awards.
AWC serves its members through advocacy, education and services. Founded in 1933, AWC is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation that advocates on behalf of cities and towns, provides training, and pooling programs such as the AWC Employee Benefit Trust. AWC created the AWC Employee Benefit Trust in 1969 to assist cities in meeting state-imposed medical coverage mandates for local law enforcement officers and fire fighters.
Contact: Jeanette Cefalo, Human Resources Director, Jeanette.Cefalo@cityofwashougal.us, (360) 835-8501 x103
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