Councilman Harold Wales has become an advocate for city retirees who don’t want to give up medical benefits if they go to work for someone else.

Wales said he would propose at the Feb. 25 council meeting that retirees be allowed to retain medical retirement benefits if they take employment elsewhere.

Under city policy, retirees must accept medical insurance from a new employer if it is offered and go off the city’s insurance.

“I want to give them the option of accepting what a new employer is offering or not,” said Wales.

Once a retiree leaves the city insurance rolls, he cannot be taken back for coverage.

“I realize how expensive health care costs are to the city,” said Wales. “But I believe when a good employee has given 20 to 30 years and is eligible to retire that we should not penalize that employee if he or she decides to start another career by forcing them to take another health care package that is less [coverage] than the one they have earned with the city.

“A policeman or fireman who laid his life on the line for the city many times over the years and other employees such as electrical workers should have the choice to stay with the present health care package or go with the one that might be offered.”

Under Wales’ proposal city retirees would remain on city medical insurance until they turn 65 or are eligible for Medicare.