Cumming City Council sets qualifying, retirement policy

The Cumming City Council changed a retirement benefit rule and set qualifying for the November municipal election at its meeting Tuesday night.

Council members upped the length of time a city employee has to work to qualify for retirement healthcare benefits from 10 to 25 years of continuous service. City spokeswoman Crystal Ledford said the change was made as a money-saving move, and will affect only employees hired after Jan. 1 of this year.

The Council also set qualifying dates and fees for the November municipal election. Qualifying is set for 8:30 a.m-4:30 p.m. Aug. 21-23. Qualifying fees were set at $360 for the mayor’s office and at $180 for council posts one and two, 3 percent of the annual salary for each position.