Other action by the City Council

In other business at Tuesday’s City Council meeting:

• Mayor Paul Woodson said he was delighted the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education chose a downtown location for the school administration’s central office. He thanked the school system and Rowan County Board of Commissioners.

• Traffic engineer Wendy Brindle recommended against four-way stop signs on West Thomas Street at intersections with Church and Jackson streets.

The average speed on Thomas Street is 28 mph, and 85 percent of drivers travel 35 mph or slower, she said. The posted speed limit is 25 mph.

The neighborhood resident who requested the study wants to slow traffic, which is not an appropriate use for multi-way stop signs, Brindle said.

In the past three years, there has been one accident at each of the intersections in question that could have been prevented by a four-way stop, she said. Traffic volumes also did not warrant the intervention, she said. About 1,200 vehicles per day use Thomas Street.

• The city’s Employee Health Care Fund has corrected a $469,986 deficit, which was due to several large claims, and now has a $532,000 balance, said Karen Ingram, benefits administrator.

The city, which pays the total cost of health insurance for employees, has increased premiums 11 percent this year to eliminate last year’s deficit and cover increased claims. The city pays $52 more per month for each employee than it did last year.

Starting Jan. 1, new city employees will no longer receive health insurance through the city when they retire. City retirees who go to work for another employer who offers health insurance also will no longer receive coverage through the city.

Ingram also clarified the city’s policy on dependents of retirees. They are not allowed to be covered on the retiree’s policy, she said.

Some retirees have included dependents on their policy.

The Employee Health Care Fund was never broke, Assistant City Manager John Sofley said. The deficit was due to an estimate of what claims would have been at the end of the fiscal year, he said, and the fund actually had $113,000 in cash on hand.

• The council adopted the Local Water Supply Plan, approved a $32,800 contract with Martin Starnes & Associates for auditing fiscal year 2012 and heard highlights and goals from the Human Relations Council, Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

• The council took no action after a closed session for a personnel matter.

Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.