Title
Municipal Firefighters Cancer Reimbursement Fund (Ordinance S-50089)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to authorize payment to the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA) for the Municipal Firefighters Cancer Reimbursement Fund ("The Fund") annual assessments for three years. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
In accordance with Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) section 23-1701, all Arizona incorporated cities and towns are required to contribute to the Fund. The Fund, administered by the ICA, will reimburse municipal cities and towns on a prorated basis for paying workers’ compensation and benefits to firefighters and fire investigators who are diagnosed with a disease, infirmity or impairment caused by outlined cancers presumed to arise out of employment (occupational cancer). The City is assessed a fee each fiscal year, which is payable by Sept. 30. The City’s fee is a prorated amount of the $15 million annual cap to the Fund and is based on the City’s population in proportion to all Arizona incorporated cities and towns.
Financial Impact
The annual expenditure is estimated at $4,400,000 per year, based on the assessment amounts for the past two fiscal years. For FY 2023-24, the amount due by Sept. 30, 2023 is $4,181,597.41. The amount can vary based on the City's population. Funds are available in the Human Resources Department's operating budget.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
- Phoenix City Council approved Ordinance S-47944 on Sept. 15, 2021.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Human Resources Department.