Employee Benefit Trust

Employee Benefits Advisory Committee (EBAC)

Committee members are involved in the administration of their employee benefit and wellness programs, and are directly involved in reviewing and recommending improvements and changes to the Trust programs. More information on EBAC requirements, nomination, and election process is located below the EBAC roster.

Find your EBAC district

EBAC district map

Think about serving on the Employee Benefits Advisory Committee

The Employee Benefit Trust is governed by members. Each year in May, a nomination email is sent to mayors. There are eight EBAC positions up for election annually filled by appointed staff such as HR staff, clerks, city administrators, finance directors, IT managers, and others.

We sat down with our EBAC Chair (and Board of Trustee representative) Emily Schuh, City of Anacortes and asked her why she likes serving on EBAC, and why others should consider it too.

View current roster

Elections and nominations

EBAC includes 16 members, one from each AWC Board District, 1–8, 12–14, two at-large statewide positions, one western position, one eastern position, and one at-large noncity position. Trust members who purchase core medical benefits serve on the committee.

Committee members go through a nomination and election process and serve 3-year terms. Nominations & elections occur annually starting in May. Terms begin July 1.

What is the EBAC?

EBAC was established to provide the AWC Board of Trustees direct input regarding the programs, provisions, and operations of the AWC Trust and the Health Care Program. The Committee reviews plan provisions, rating structures, underwriting and participation guidelines, and assists in the development of new programs and plans. Each position serves a three-year term running from July 1 to June 30.

Frequency of meetings

The Committee meets approximately two to three times per year in the SeaTac area. Additionally, Trust learning and strategic planning retreats are held every two to three years.

Expenses

The AWC Employee Benefit Trust pays all expenses associated with travel to and from meetings, including transportation, meals and lodging. However, the time spent away from work to attend the meetings is not reimbursed.

Nomination process

Any mayor of a city/town participating in the AWC Employee Benefit Trust may nominate a candidate for consideration for a district or at-large position (except for the at-large non-city position). The CEO or executive director (or the equivalent) of a non-city entity may nominate a candidate for consideration for the at-large non-city entity position.

Nominee requirements
EBAC candidates must be an employee from a city/town/non-city entity that participates in one of the Trust’s core medical benefit plans, including Regence BlueShield/Asuris Northwest Health, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington Options, Inc., or any other core medical benefit plan adopted by the Trustees.

The EBAC shall consist of no more than three representatives from any one District and no more than one from any one participating city or non-city entity. With the exception of the non-city entity position, non-city entities are not eligible to serve on other EBAC district or at-large positions. A candidate may only run for one position and must work in the district/region for which they are being nominated.

Should an EBAC member’s participating city/town/non-city entity cease to participate in the Trust’s core benefit plan, the term of appointment will expire at the end of the month the core benefit coverage is terminated.

Since committee members will be directly involved in reviewing and recommending improvements and changes to the AWC Employee Benefit Trust programs, candidates should have a direct role within the city/town/non-city entity involving the administration of employee benefit programs. This could entail direct involvement in the day-to-day benefits administration or a broader role such as negotiating employee benefit programs through a collective bargaining or committee process. Candidates with health promotion experience preferred.

Election process

Ballots for nominated candidates are sent via email to mayors, CEO’s or executive directors of Trust participating cities/towns/non-city entities in May of each year to cast their vote.