IRONTON — The Ironton City Council has decided on a new insurance company for city workers. The council unanimously approved a contract with insurance company Medical Mutual of Ohio.

While the insurance carrier has changed from MedBen to Medical Mutual, the city’s agent of record will stay the same.

Dave Brown, president of Brown/Raybourn in Ashland, Ky., has been the city’s agent since around 1984, he said.

Brown said he checked out several insurance companies for the city. By switching to Medical Mutual, the city will save about $71,000.

He noted that both companies are excellent.

“MedBen’s renewal was very, very fair to the city,” Brown said. “I mean we’ve got no gripe with MedBen, they’ve been great.”

Besides Brown, two other insurance agents submitted bids.

“This year I went out of the box for proposals,” Mayor Rich Blankenship said at a city finance committee meeting. Blankenship referred to accepting bids for the city’s insurance. “It allows more competition and we saw the rate change. I think it’s very important to explore all options before making that decision.”

The new insurance will take effect March 1. City employees will be enrolled electronically in the new program.

In other business, the Ironton City Council also:

Commended Boy Scout Troop 106 for its service to the city.

“These boys really helped out the City of Ironton by going door-to-door passing out the 2010 street sweeper schedule,” Blankenship told the scouts, who attended the meeting with their parents and troop leaders.

The scouts announced that in April, they will be planting 10 trees around the city center.

Approved a resolution to provide $1,500 in funding to Ironton in Bloom. The non-profit organization will use the funding to enter into a national organization, America in Bloom. The organization judges the city on criteria like urban forestry, environmental efforts, tidiness and floral displays.

Approved an ordinance vacating a portion of Cedar Alley. The alley is between Madison and Jefferson streets in Ironton. RAC II, Limited and Kurt and Christina Hoffman, the owners of lots adjoining the alley, petitioned for the city’s vacation of the lot. The city will reserve an easement for the storm water and sewer line easements that the city already owns.

Passed an ordinance awarding bids for the purchase of chemicals for the year.

Passed an ordinance awarding bids for construction materials and concrete for the year.

Heard the second reading of an ordinance that if passed will reduce by 50 percent the lease cost for businesses that are currently occupying the City Center.

Approved the reappointment of Dick Rice to the Civil Service Commission and John David Willis to the Recreation Advisory Committee. Rice will serve until December of 2012 and Willis will serve until June of 2011.