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City of Paris Council Benefits Subcommittee <br />December 9, 2003 <br />Page 10 <br />benefit survey, information that is available from the Lamar County Chamber. <br />Mr. Anderson said that he needed information from the Chamber of Commerce <br />themselves. Chairman Guest said it may be better to send a letter of request to <br />the Executive Board of the Chamber of Commerce and if they refuse, he felt that <br />would be a little bit difficult to explain. <br />Chairman Guest called for discussion and possible recommendations concerning <br />the Employee Retirement Plan. Chairman Guest said there are two different <br />retirement plans for city employees. <br />City Attorney Schenk explained that generally what happened at one of the <br />special or regular sessions, there is legislation adopted that called for a <br />constitutional amendment. He said the substance of that constitutional <br />amendment was to address non-statewide retirement programs. The purpose of <br />that amendment was, in part, to require political subdivisions whose employees <br />receive retirement under non-statewide retirement system to the effect lock in or <br />preserve the benefits that those employees are receiving subject to a single <br />opportunity for the political subdivsion to place compliance with that <br />constitutional amendment on the ballot in May. That law is in effect because that <br />constitutional amendment did pass. It was a single opportunity for political <br />subdivisions affected by this, to place the manner of compliance with that <br />requirement all on the ballet in May for the electors to say no they are going to <br />preserve the local option and local control. City Attorney advised they believe <br />that the City of Paris has a retirement system that is covered by this amendment. <br />The second statement was that TMRS is not covered. That leaves only the <br />possible retirement for the City of Paris which they believe is covered by the <br />amendment and that is the Firemen's Retirement Plan. <br />Councilman Bell stated that there are two departments in the City of Paris that <br />are Civil Service. The City of Paris has the Fire Department and the Police <br />Department. Councilman Bell said the Fire Department is under a retirement <br />plan and the Police Department is civil service under TMRS. City Attorney <br />Schenk indicated that was correct. Councilman Bell said the Firemen's <br />Retirement Fund is not considered a statewide fund and, therefore, would be <br />