Forsyth County government employees will be offered recreation center fitness passes at half price as part of a new wellness program.The parks and recreation board voted 4-0 on Tuesday to approve the suggestion of staff member Taylor Davis, who sits on the county’s wellness program committee. Member Daniel Slott was absent for the vote.All weight room and exercise class passes, except a one-day visit, will be 50 percent off for county workers.The passes allow use of the gym or entry to classes at the county’s three recreation centers.Davis said 33 of Forsyth’s more than 1,400 employees use the county centers.“We sent a survey out to all the county employees and one thing they requested was a discounted rate for the memberships,” he said.Parks director Jerry Kinsey said the county hopes to save money in insurance costs by offering an inexpensive option to stay fit.Forsyth launched the wellness program in September as a way to reduce rapidly rising costs in the employee health insurance plan.According to board member Kimberly Brown, the offer likely will also benefit the parks department.“That would be revenue that we probably weren’t going to get anyway,” she said.
Forsyth County government employees will be offered recreation center fitness passes at half price as part of a new wellness program.The parks and recreation board voted 4-0 on Tuesday to approve the suggestion of staff member Taylor Davis, who sits on the county’s wellness program committee. Member Daniel Slott was absent for the vote.All weight room and exercise class passes, except a one-day visit, will be 50 percent off for county workers.The passes allow use of the gym or entry to classes at the county’s three recreation centers.Davis said 33 of Forsyth’s more than 1,400 employees use the county centers.“We sent a survey out to all the county employees and one thing they requested was a discounted rate for the memberships,” he said.Parks director Jerry Kinsey said the county hopes to save money in insurance costs by offering an inexpensive option to stay fit.Forsyth launched the wellness program in September as a way to reduce rapidly rising costs in the employee health insurance plan.According to board member Kimberly Brown, the offer likely will also benefit the parks department.“That would be revenue that we probably weren’t going to get anyway,” she said.