While Other Municipalities Are Seeing Rising Health Care Costs Mayor Cilento And The Borough Of Dunellen Are Finding Ways To Save

February 21, 2024, Dunellen, NJ –   At the Council meeting on February 20th, the Borough of Dunellen Council approved entering into a strategic partnership with EB Employee Solutions, LLC, operating as The Difference Card, in a proactive effort to optimize taxpayer savings while maintaining high-quality healthcare benefits for Borough employees.

Mayor Jason Cilento emphasized the Borough’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, stating, “This partnership underscores our ongoing dedication to finding innovative solutions that save taxpayer dollars without compromising the quality of benefits for our hardworking employees. It’s part of our continual efforts to increase efficiencies within the Borough.”

The new agreement with The Difference Card offers a unique healthcare MERP (Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan) solution, allowing the Borough to maintain robust employee benefits without increasing employee contributions or reducing their benefit package. This strategic move is anticipated to result in substantial taxpayer savings, with projections estimating savings between $65,000 and $131,020 over the next year alone. The Borough anticipates long-term savings of up to $784,119 over the next five years.  This is just another example of the Borough Administration’s efforts to find long-term solutions that will help to manage rising healthcare costs.  The Borough has also amended policy to ensure that employees contribute to their health care premiums both while employed and in retirement.

By leveraging these innovative solutions, Dunellen is setting an example for municipalities across the region, demonstrating a proactive approach to fiscal management while prioritizing employee well-being.

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For more information about the Borough of Dunellen’s partnership with The Difference Card and its impact on taxpayer savings, please contact Alex Miller, Borough Administrator at 732-968-3033.