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City oElk) dPftft. <br /> Ve r <br /> Support for the Healthy for Life Wellness Incentive Program <br /> Questions: <br /> • What do I tell taxpaying citizens when talking about the increase in staff costs for taking a <br /> Zumba class? <br /> • Why am I paying more taxes for the wellness wage incentive program? <br /> • How does the Council support this wage incentive program? <br /> • What are the rewards or"return on investment" for having a WIP? <br /> • What's the importance of this program? <br /> Purpose of the Policy <br /> The purpose of the "Healthy for Life Wellness Incentive Program"is to improve employee health, <br /> reduce employee-related medical expenses, and provide employees the opportunity to be paid <br /> consistent with our top peer cities. The desired rewards of the program are: <br /> 1. Improvements in healthy behaviors (i.e.,physical activity, nutrition, stress reduction, sleep, <br /> etc.), <br /> 2. reduction in elevated health risks (i.e., cholesterol,glucose,blood pressure), <br /> 3. reduction in health care costs, and <br /> 4. increase in productivity and job satisfaction and lower absenteeism and presenteeism. <br /> By combining the Healthy for Life Wellness Incentive Program (WIP) with the worksite Health <br /> Rewards Wellness Program, the city can provide employees with considerable leadership support for <br /> an effective workplace culture and help curb municipal taxes. <br /> Recognition for the Need of the New Policy <br /> In 2016, 2017 and 2018, the City of Elk River had an increase in health care claims experience. <br /> While there are outside influences regarding our health-risk pool, and luck,we can slow this trend by <br /> changing health behaviors and reducing elevated health risks. <br />