The Tennessee Municipal League's recommendation for Lenoir City leaders to establish a new policy concerning worker's compensation continued to be discussed without resolution during Monday's council workshop.

Currently when an employee goes on worker's compensation the state pays two-thirds of the worker's salary with the city picking up the additional third indefinitely. 

Under the TML's recommended change, the city's contribution would end after 90 days, though the employee could continue to receive the money from the state.

The change would save the city 10 percent in insurance costs, about $13,000, according to city recorder and treasurer, Bobby Johnson, Jr.

City Administrator Dale Hurst informed the council members the cut-off date to make the change had passed and so no adjustments to the policy can be made until next summer at the earliest.

He asked if there was enough support on the board to continue pursuing the matter and none expressed an interest in adopting the change, while council members Bobby Johnson Sr., and Tony Aikens said they would vote against it if it ever comes before the group.

Aikens, who is chief deputy in the Loudon County Sheriff's Office, gave an example of a police officer shot in the line of duty or a fire fighter burned badly who would need more than three months off work to recover.

Mayor Matt Brookshire said the city has been fortunate there has never been an employee go on worker's compensation for more than 90 days.

He questioned if the city could set up a special fund with the money saved each year in insurance costs to go toward any employee who needed more than 90 days of worker's compensation.

City Attorney Shannon Littleton said he did not believe the insurance company would give the 10 percent reduction under those circumstances.