The city is being recognized for a health insurance program designed to reduce employee’s waistlines as well as the city’s bottom line.

Lewiston received an award Wednesday from the International City Manager’s Association for the health insurance program. City Administrator Jim Bennett and Deputy City Administrator Phil Nadeau were both recognized at the group’s conference in Richmond, Va., with the Strategic Leadership and Governance for cities with a population between 10,000 and 49,999 people.

Under Lewiston’s program, employees must meet four health criteria to qualify for a 15 percent credit on their health insurance premiums. They’d have to agree to attend a medical screening, exercise, lose weight and quit smoking to get the credit. The city began the program in 2005 and expanded it in 2007.

The program relies on a health educator from Central Maine Medical Center to help employees and membership in the CMMC Wellness Center for 150 eligible employees.

Lewiston’s health insurance rates for employees are going down 4.87 percent in this year – a savings of $175,000 in the coming budget year. Employees have lost weight, as well, with 59 percent losing 1,962 pounds by February 2007. Municipal sick time has decreased also, from an average 8.18 days per year in 2006 to 6.75 days in 2007.