THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021 Page 3 City requests change in way it negotiates health care costs By Adam Swift T he City Council is setting the stage for what is likely to be a contentious battle over municipal health care costs. Last Monday night, the council accepted a letter from Richard Viscay, the city’s Chief Financial Offi cer, requesting the council take up a law that would allow the city to negotiate copays and deductibles for city health plans. In the letter, Viscay noted that there is no change in the plan being put forward at this time, but that the city is asking for a change in the process used in negotiations. The city is currently negotiating new contracts with all bargaining units in the city, with many of those contracts expiring at the end of the current fi scal year on June 20, Viscay stated. “As part of the bargaining process, we are examining all avenues to provide relief to the extraordinary costs of health insurance while ensuring that our employees and retirees receive quality health care,” Viscay stated in the letter. “However, the gotiate new health insurance benefi t plans for employees.” By adopting the laws, Viscay stated, the city could begin the process of adopting copay and deductibles, along with other cost-sharing health care plan features that are not higher than the Commonwealth’s Group Insurance Commission. “By adopting these laws, the RICHARD VISCAY Chief Financial Offi cer spending on health insurance for employees and retirees has historically grown much faster than revenues.” The city is exploring ways to control the costs of health care, which was budgeted at over $22 million for FY21, according to Viscay. One of those options, he stated, is to adopt Sections 21-23 of Chapter 32B of Massachusetts General Laws, which would allow the city to “engage in expedited bargaining to neCity Council is voting on the process used in negotiations only,” stated Viscay. “The City Council is not being asked to authorize any specifi c plan design changes or changes to contribution rates, as the City Council has no authority to approve the specifi c plan design off ered, including copayments and deductible amounts.” City Council President Anthony Zambuto moved the issue to a joint meeting of the council’s Ways and Means and Legislative Committees, which will be held on Monday, March 29 at 5 p.m. “This is too important of an issue to try and handle it in fi ve minutes here,” said Zambuto at Monday night’s regular City Council meeting. Mayor announces promotion of Tech Leng to Chief of Planning and Development M ayor Brian Arrigo announced that as of April 1, 2021, Techrosette “Tech” Leng will be succeeding to the position of Chief of Planning and Development for the City of Revere. This cabinet-level position reports directly to the Mayor. Leng currently serves in the role of Deputy Director of the Offi ce of Planning and Development; and she succeeds Bob O’Brien, who has been OPD Director since 2016. Leng is a lifelong resident of Revere who attended Revere Public Schools before earning her baccalaureate degree in Government from Harvard College, where she was also a George Peabody Gardner Fellow. After several years of program management and direct service in youth education and adult workforce development, Tech trained as an urban planner at Tufts University’s Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning Department, where she was also a Harvard TECHROSETTE LENG Kennedy School Rappaport Fellow. She has been a valued city staff er since 2018, serving as Revere City Planner before she became OPD Deputy Director in 2020. “Tech brings a wealth of personal experience and professional expertise, as well as a profound understanding of and commitment to the Revere community,” said Mayor Arrigo, “all of which has prepared her to take the Offi ce of Planning and Development to the new level required to address and resolve the many issues and opportunities that will defi ne our evolving future as a diverse, accessible and aff ordable community.” At the age of 78, Bob O’Brien will be transitioning into semiretirement, but will continue in the role of Director of Economic Development. His attention with be focused on the development projects that will continue to transform Revere, including the continuing redevelopment of the Revere waterfront, the Shirley Avenue and Broadway business districts and Suffolk Downs and implementation of the recently approved RiverFront Master Plan, as well as prospective redevelopment of Wonderland and Caddy Farm. Moving forward, a high priority will be placed on emerging public/private partnership for the creation of more aff ordable housing in Revere. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 781-286-8500 or Info@advocatenews.net Lawrence A. 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