The City Council has approved this initiative as part of the 2023 Budget, which includes various new and ongoing benefits previously announced earlier in the year.
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton has introduced a new tuition reimbursement pilot program for eligible employees
Under the program, regular full-time employees who have completed a minimum of 12 months of employment will be eligible for reimbursement of educational expenses, up to a maximum of $2,500 per year. The primary objective of this initiative is to support employees in their pursuit of professional development and continuous growth by obtaining college-accredited degrees, professional certifications, or credentials.
Mayor John Hamilton expressed the city’s commitment to investing in the growth and development of its workforce, emphasizing their dedication to becoming an employer of choice. He stated that the new pilot program, along with the other benefits introduced in 2023, demonstrates their efforts to provide an attractive working environment for employees.
Importantly, the tuition reimbursement pilot program enables employees to pursue higher education or professional certifications relevant to their career aspirations, even if these credentials are not directly applicable to their current job responsibilities.
The city recognizes that education leads to enhanced knowledge, skills, and expertise, which can benefit both individuals and the organization as a whole
It’s worth noting that any required training or certification directly related to an employee’s city job will continue to be covered by the city’s training funds.
In addition to the tuition reimbursement program, the 2023 budget year includes several other substantial benefits for employees. These include a 5% cost of living adjustment for non-union employees, a $1,000 bonus distributed in two installments, a deferred compensation annual subsidy, COVID-19 vaccine discounts on health insurance premiums, travel and lodging expense coverage for out-of-state abortions, a new health clinic for employees and their families, parental leave policy, CDL training program, and various investments in public safety.
READ ALSO: Florida State Offers $2 Billion In Unclaimed Property To Its Citizens