SILVERHILL, Alabama — Following in the footsteps of both Robertsdale and Loxley, the Silverhill Town Council voted during its regular meeting Monday, Aug. 3 to approve a change in its benefits which will allow all its employees to retire with 25 years of service, or at age 60 with 10 or more years of service.
Previously, only employees hired prior to 2013 under the state benefits package with Retirement Systems of Alabama are considered Tier 1 employees. All employees hired after Jan. 1, 2013 are considered Tier II, which means that they are only eligible to retire at age 62.
In similar actions, the Loxley Town Council voted in July to authorize Tier I benefits for Tier II employees, while the city of Robertsdale took the same action at a meeting in March. All employees hired after Jan. 1, 2013 would still be considered Tier II employees, but under the new plan, they would be eligible for Tier I benefits.
Employees are required to contribute a certain percentage of their income to the RSA program. In order to receive Tier I benefits, Tier II employees will be required to increase their contributions.
In other business Aug. 3, the council voted to certify elections for Mayor Jared Lyles and all council members after only the incumbents qualified for each office.
Lyles, who served three full terms on the town council, will serve his first full term as mayor after being appointed mayor last April following the resignation of Tim Wilson.
Gerald Ardoin will fill his first full term filling the Place 3 seat vacated by Lyles. Also retaining their council seats are Bert Jones, Place 1; Mayor Pro Tem Steve Brooks, Place 2; Tonie Norden, Place 4; and Wayne Gruenloh, Place 5.
In other business Aug. 3, the council:
