LEWISTON - A city plan to reduce health insurance costs has been recognized by an international municipal management group for the second time.

The International City/County Management Association has awarded Lewiston the Strategic Leadership and Governance Award for its employee health insurance program.

The program encourages employees to give up risky or unhealthy habits and provides lower monthly premiums to those who quit smoking, lose weight or follow an exercise regimen. That's resulted in lower premiums citywide, down by $736,757 since the program started in 2005. Insurance premiums for the city are down a 4.87 percent for 2008 compared to 2007, according to officials.

The program has reduced employee waistlines, as well. City employees had lost a total 1,962 pounds as of February 2007. As last February, 47 percent of employees and their spouses had lost an additional 1,402 pounds.

It's the second time the Lewiston program has been recognized by the association, according to City Administrator Jim Bennett.

"It's rare to get this kind of award, but it's even more rare to get it twice," Bennett said.

The association is a professional and educational organization for chief appointed managers, administrators, and assistants in municipalities throughout the world. Bennett will officially accept the award at the group's annual conference in September.

The program won another award earlier this month from the Maine Cardiovascular Health Council Heart Healthy Award.

It was presented at the 11th annual Maine Governor's Cardiovascular Health Summit.