Qualified Tulare County employees receive an annual Benefit Amount. This is the County contribution towards the cost of employee benefits. For most employees, this amount is a flat amount plus a tier amount based on the number of dependents they enroll on their plan. Other employees only receive a flat biweekly amount based on the number of dependents they enroll on their plan. The Benefit Amount is a negotiated item by bargaining unit.  In 2009, the minimum Benefit Amount provided to each employee will be $209.08.