WBRZ - Baton Rouge

MANDEVILLE- The Mandeville City Council has voted to continue providing health insurance at no cost to city workers rather than have them pay for a portion of the premiums.

On Thursday, the council asked Mayor Donald Villere to use money the city will save through a reduction in the cost of its workman's compensation coverage to help offset the higher rates for employee health insurance.

The Times-Picayune reports the city two weeks ago was poised to have employees start paying for a portion of the cost of their health insurance coverage.

The city picks up 100 percent of the cost of its employees' health coverage, an expense of just over $2 million a year.