2016 Open Enrollment Information

Open Enrollment begins March 16  and ends on April 13.

The website can be found here: http://cohemployeenews.com/openenrollment

Please be sure to review the information posted on the website and sign up for your benefits:

1. There are new rates and plan modifications to the medical plan.

2. There is a new dental plan provide, Delta Dental, for DHMO.

3. There are new supplemental insurance providers.

Please remember as well that Open Enrollment is an active enrollment, which means that you have to enroll each year, even if there are no changes to your plan.

If you have any questions, please refer to the open enrollment link above.

Black Heritage Craft!

The Black Heritage Craft for the month of February was the Peace Flower and on each craft the children would write their dream. I Have a Dream - We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves - Dalai Lama

Open House

We also featured an open house in the month of February to show case the programs of the library. Open house included music, dancing, and pizza. The customer was presented with a video of the computer classes and story time as well as the apps we offer, video and music to check out. We Link the Community to the World! 

       

For low to moderate income taxpayers and FREE electronic filing. AARP Tax-Aide program offers free one-on-one counseling and assistance with preparing basic tax forms. Assistance is offered to low and moderate income taxpayers, especially those 60 and older. Houston Public Library (HPL) in partnership with AARP will offer tax assistance at the HPL locations listed on our Tax Resources page. Please visit our Tax Resources page at www.http://houstonlibrary.org/find-it/tax-resources

for more information.

Assistance in Spanish is only available on Saturdays in February.

Please bring the documents listed below:

  •   Copy of last year’s income tax return(s)

  •   W-2 forms from each employer

  •   Unemployment compensation statements

  •   SSA-1099 form if you were paid Social Security benefits

  •   All 1099 forms (1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B, etc.) showing

      interest and/or dividends and documentation showing

      original purchase price of sold assets

  •   1099-MISC showing any miscellaneous income

  •   1099-R form if you received a pension or annuity

  •   All forms indicating federal income tax paid

  •   Dependent care provider information (name,

       employer ID, Social Security number)

  •   All receipts or canceled checks if itemizing deductions

  •   Social Security cards or other official documentation for

       yourself and all dependents

Tues, Thurs & Saturdays Starting Feb 2 – April 14

10:00 am – 2pm

**We do not receive 1099 forms. You may view and/or print them from the IRS website. 

Library customers may also use public computers with Internet access available at all HPL locations to access tax forms via IRS's website. 

Following forms are available at select locations: 

Form Type	Location
Form 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return	Central, Blue Ridge, Flores, Heights, McGovern-Stella Link, Melcher, Park Place, Smith and Young
1040 Instructions	Central, Blue Ridge, Flores, Heights, McGovern-Stella Link, Melcher, Park Place, Smith and Young
Form 1040 A U.S. Individual Income Tax Return	Central, Blue Ridge, Flores, Heights, McGovern-Stella Link, Melcher, Park Place, Smith and Young
1040 A Instructions	Central, Blue Ridge, Flores, Heights, McGovern-Stella Link, Melcher, Park Place, Smith and Young
Form 1040 EZ Income Tax Return for Single and Joint Filers With No Dependents	Central, Blue Ridge, Flores, Heights, McGovern-Stella Link, Melcher, Park Place, Smith and Young
1040 EZ Instructions	Central, Blue Ridge, Flores, Heights, McGovern-Stella Link, Melcher, Park Place, Smith and Young

Story Time at Scenic Woods feature Fairy Tales

Fairytale Story time at Scenic Woods: It was a very exciting time for the children from Fonwood Early Childhood Center as they watched in amazement as the story of Little Red Riding Hood came to life. The set was designed and constructed by Debra Davis. Film made possible by Chrishelle, editing completed by Kim. The story starring our very own staff: Jennita as the Wolf, Debra as the Mother, Jacquina as Red Riding Hood, Yvonne as the Grandmother, Derrick as the Hunter, and Michelle as the narrator.

Storytime Live

Scenic Woods Regional Library staff brought "Red Riding Hood Story-time " alive on stage for the Fonwood Cubs.

The Wolf: Jennita, The Mother: Debra, Red Riding Hood: Jacquina, The Grandmother: Yvonne, The Hunter: Derrick, The Narrator: Michelle

2015 Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement; Form 1095-C Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage

From COH Payroll Services:

Please be aware that the 2015 Form W-2 (Wage and Tax Statements) will be provided to all employees in paper hard-copy. An electronic (online) W-2  will also be provided to all current employees via the Employee Self-Service (ESS) website at https://portal.houstontx.gov/irj/portal

It is anticipated that for the calendar year 2016 (which means in January 2017), employees that select to "opt-in" to receiving electronic-only copies of Form W-2 will not receive a hard-copy.

Finally, please be aware that all employees will also be receiving a Form 1095-C (Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage). This report reflects your City of Houston-provided health benefits coverage for calendar year 2015 for you, the employee, and any dependents on your plan. It is required in order for you to complete your 2015 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. A paper hard-copy of this report will be provided to each employee via US MAIL. No electronic access to this report will be available for calendar year 2015. 

The Human Resources Department will provide details regarding interpreting the Health Benefits participation information included in the report. It is imperative that all City employees verify their current mailing address in ESS and update it, if needed, before January 1, 2016, in order to avoid any delays in receiving your Form 1095-C.

The statutory deadline for distributing or postmarking Form W-2 and Form 1095-C to employees is February 1, 2016. Payroll Services will strive to beat this deadline by at least a week. Additional communications will be sent as more definitive distribution and online access dates are determined.

Open Carry Law

Regarding the new Open Carry Law

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW….

     The Open Carry Law is an extension to the current concealed handgun law. The concealed handgun law currently allows a license holder to carry a concealed handgun in most City-owned or leased properties.     The Open Carry Law has extended for license holders to carry their handgun in the open (holstered) and not limited to being concealed only.

OPEN CARRY LAW

     ·            The new Open Carry Law becomes effective Friday, January 1, 2016.

     ·            The law allows for a citizen with a current concealed handgun license or          new license to carry a   handgun in most City-owned or leased property.

     ·            The gun must be concealed or holstered in a belt or shoulder holster.

     ·            The guns can be a handgun or a long handgun.

     Open Carry Q&A with HPD