One of the next stages for Growing the City is to do a better job of letting the world know who we are and the benefits of living and doing business in Garland.
 
In the last budget presentations, it was common to hear references to something that Garland had either done first, or that had been an example to other cities, or specialties that we had developed that were used by other government agencies. Also, I know that many on the staff recently met to review some of those accomplishments.
 
I know there have been interviews for a new staff position that will start promoting Garland but that it is not yet filled.
 
One such accomplishment was the creation of a city clinic for employees. Since its creation, it has been providing faster and better care than employees were often receiving under the old system — and it's doing it for less money. Plans are underway to expand the clinic and to possibly include employees from GISD, for even greater economies of scale.
 
A story in the Dallas Morning News about Grand Prairie's review for such a clinic also highlights Garland's program. The article is below:
 

Grand Prairie considers opening city-employee clinic

Council to discuss costs, savings of a possible city-worker health unit
 
08:35 PM CDT on Friday, March 14, 2008
By JON NIELSEN / The Dallas Morning News
jnielsen@dallasnews.com
 
Grand Prairie is looking to get into the health-care business.
 

JIM MAHONEY/DMN Grand Prairie is studying city-employee clinics in other cities, such as this one in Garland, which reportedly trims sick time.

City staff and council members are evaluating whether to open an employee health clinic to cut the cost of rising insurance policies and promote better health.
 
Planning is in the early stages, and a council committee is studying the benefits, expenses and potential yield in savings of the facility, which would serve employees and their families.
 
The committee will meet at City Hall at 4 p.m. Thursday to discuss options. The board will take no action.
 
Last month, council members heard a presentation from city staff outlining a proposal that includes the city hiring its own clinic staff to provide preventive care. The annual cost is estimated at $380,000, but the plan would save the city at least $200,000, said Lisa Norris, the city's human resources director.
 
Several council members, including Ron Jensen, suggested the committee take a closer look at the idea.
 
"I still have reservations about it," Mr. Jensen said. "It's not that I'm against it; I need to see better data and make sure what we're doing is the most economical way to do it."
 
In the last 10 years, city employee insurance claims in Grand Prairie have nearly tripled. The city projects it will spend more than $9 million on claims during the 2007-08 fiscal year.
 
Jim Swafford, another council member who sits on the committee, said it's tough to quantify how much the city would save through a health clinic. If clinic staff catches health problems early, it may save the city money in the long run, he said.
 
"There are things that we're going to do in a clinic that we're not going to put a dollar amount on," Mr. Swafford said. "If you prevent a couple of employees from having a heart attack and spending $100,000 out of your health-care fund ... how do you ever know you did it?"
 
One issue officials have discussed is whether a clinic should be run by the city or by an independent provider. City and Grand Prairie school district officials also have held talks about a joint clinic effort.
 
The committee is studying clinics in Mesquite and Garland as examples of what could be done in Grand Prairie.
 
In Garland, the program's health benefits and cost-saving measures help everyone, said Robby Neill, Garland's risk manager. The clinic reduces sick time, increases productivity and promotes preventive care.
 
Large private corporations have supplied on-site health care to employees for years, Mr. Neill said. In 2003, he determined the same effort would work for Garland and its 22,000 employees.
 
"It's not innovative," Mr. Neill said. "What's new about it is we've brought it into the public sector to save money and provide a benefit."
 
Since Garland opened its facility, other cities have launched their own clinics. They include Mesquite, where the school district and city share costs. Odessa also has opened a clinic.
 
Garland spends $600,000 a year to maintain its clinic, including salaries, benefits and supplies, Mr. Neill said. But the city is saving an estimated $500,000 a year.
 
It's been so successful that other cities look to Garland as the model, he said.
 
"What I tell our council and other councils: When was the last time you can provide a great employee benefit and save money?" he said.