LTC 026-2006 MB Fraternal Order of Police Health Trust/Fire Fighters Insurance Trust Domestic Partners Coverage Termination
G MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 026-2006
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
Mayor David Dermer and Members of the City Commission
DATE:
Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
January31,2006 )~
Miami Beach Fraternal Order ~ Police Health Trust/Fire Fighters Insurance
Trust - Domestic Partner Benefits Coverage Termination
FROM:
SUBJECT:
This purpose of this Letter to the City Commission is to advise the Commission that the
Miami Beach Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Health Trust/Fire Fighters Insurance Trust will
be terminating their coverage of domestic partner benefits effective January 15, 2006 (for
the IAFF fund) and February 1, 2006 (for FOP fund).
This action has been taken under the advice and recommendation of the Fund CPA who
advised that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued private letter rulings indicating
such coverage could jeopardize the tax exempt status of the funds. Therefore, family
contributions on behalf of domestic partners will no longer be accepted.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me.
Attachments: Letter from Phillips, Richard & Rind, P.A., January 6,2006
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PHILLIPS, RICHARD & RIND, P.A.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
KATlll-EEN M. PHILLIPS
MARK RICHARD
OSNAT K. RIND
SHELLIE L. SEWELL
9360 SW 72 STREET, SUITE 283
MIAMI, FLORIDA 33173
Tel: (305) 412-8322
Fax: (305) 412-8299
OF COUNSEL:
LmBY HERRERA-NAVARRETE, P.A.
PATRICIA IRELAND
January 6, 2006
VIA FACSIMILE
AND U.S. REGULAR MAIL
Linda Gonzalez
Labor Relations Division Director
City of Miami Beach
1700 Convention Center Dr.
3rd Floor
Miami Beach, FI 33139
Re: Miami Beach FOP Health Trust! Florida Fire Fighters Insurance Trust Fund
Dear Linda:
Please be advised that the above funds will be terminating their coverage of domestic
partner benefits effective January 15,2006 (for IAFF fund) and February 1,2006 (for FOP fund).
The reason for the action is based on recommendations by our Fund CPA who has advised that
the IRS has issued private letter rulings indicating such coverage would jeopardize the tax
exempt status of the funds. Therefore we will no longer be able to accept family contributions
on behalf of domestic partners. Please call should you have any questions in this regard. '
Very truly yours,
.~
Kathleen M. Phillips
KMP/bb
cc: Jorge Gonzalez
Gary Kluger
Dwayne Drury
Betty Huntsman
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