Since the council last considered the benefits plan at its Jan. 10 meeting, a state representative has proposed a bill that would alter the way the city pays for the additional insurance coverage.

Rep. LaVar Christensen, R-Draper, is waiting for House floor debate on HB327, which would require employees to completely pay for coverage beyond what is traditionally offered to spouses and children. The Salt Lake City Council approved the use of city money to offset the cost of insurance premiums, similar to what it administers now for its employees.

At the bill's first public hearing Feb. 1, Christensen said it's his place as a lawmaker to direct what tax money pays for rather than "watch piecemeal adoption of public policy (through) random court decisions."

Christensen also wants the legislative bodies of cities and public entities, rather than mayors or executive officers, to decide whether to offer additional insurance coverage.

With three weeks left in the legislative session, the council plans to work around whatever legislation passes between now and March 1, said Dave Buhler, council chairman.

"A lot of things could happen, but we can't be paralyzed by that," Buhler said. "I'd like to be an optimist. We're acting very appropriately under our authority."

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E-mail: kswinyard@desnews.com