The Savannah Airport Commission has requested that the City Council adopt changes to the City Charter under which new employees of the Commission hired after January 1, 2019, will not participate in the City of Savannah Pension Plan. The Commission plans to adopt a new defined contribution plan for new employees effective January 1, 2019.

The proposed Charter amendment is attached. The amendment also includes two changes that were recommended by the City’s outside pension attorney:

1. A provision that incorporates existing federal law compliance provisions in the Official Code of Georgia which are applicable to the Pension Plan.
2. A provision which allows eligible retired public safety officers of the City to elect tax-free distributions of up to $3,000 to directly pay premiums for coverage under a City-sponsored medical insurance plan for the retired public safety officer and his or her spouse and dependents, to enable retired officers to take advantage of this tax benefit.

Approval