Benefits and Compensation

Welcome to your City benefits resource. Whether you're an employee or a retiree, this page is here to help you understand and make the most of the benefits available to you. Our offerings are designed to support your health, well-being, and financial security—from dental and vision coverage to Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, and basic life insurance.

Eligible employees can also take advantage of additional perks like the Lifestyle Spending Account through Benepass and our Run Walk Swim events, which offer opportunities to earn PTO. Those enrolled in the City’s health insurance plan have access to the Marathon Health Clinic at no cost. Wellness incentives and other optional benefits are also available to help you thrive—on and off the clock

Employee Benefits

The City of Sarasota offers a very competitive benefits package for full time employees:

Medical Benefits

PPO and High Deductible Plan Options
City Health Clinic access when enrolled in Medical
Dental insurance
Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
Wellness Incentive Program
Telehealth Connection

Supplemental Benefits

Basic Employee Life Insurance
Additional Life Insurance including dependent coverage
Supplemental Insurance (Disability, Cancer, Critical Illness, Term/Universal Life)
Short Term Disability (STD)
Employee paid benefit which covers 60% of weekly salary ($1,000 max per week for 6 months)
Long Term Disability (LTD)
City paid benefit which covers 60% of monthly salary up to $10,000 max per month from 6 months to social security retirement age or 65, whichever is later

Additional Benefits

Legal Plans
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Accident Insurance
Critical Illness Insurance
Lifestyle Spending Account

Notices

Paid Time Off Based on Eligibility

12 Holidays
190 hours (4.75 weeks) of Paid Time Off in your first year
Fitness Days
Comp Time

Retirement Saving Plans

Florida Retirement System

Teamster and Non-Represented employees participate in the Florida Retirement System (FRS). FRS provides two plans:

Pension Plan - A Defined Plan
Employees are eligible to retiree at age 65 with full benefits, provided they have completed a minimum of 8 years of covered service, or at any age with 33 years of covered service. An employee with 8 or more years of covered service may elect to retire prior to age 65, but with reduced benefits.

Investment Plan - a Defined Contribution Plan
Contributions are deposited into an individual account. Vesting occurs after 1 year of service. The employee decides how the funds are invested.

Participation and a 3% employee contribution of salary on a pre-tax basis are mandatory. The City contributes the majority of the required cost.

457(b) Deferred Compensation

Employees who wish to contribute to a supplemental retirement program are encouraged to join one of the city's Deferred Compensation Plans.

Section 457 of the IRS Code allows employees to defer a certain portion of their income and invest that deferred income to provide them additional financial security at retirement. Income that is deferred reduces the current tax obligation, and the earnings on the investments also remain tax free until withdrawal.