Bonus Proposal On Track For Holidays

HARRISONBURG — Rockingham County employees, including those in the school division, are set to get a bonus next month just in time for Christmas.

 

The Board of Supervisors took action Wednesday laying out a proposal to give all 2,600 workers a bonus on or by Dec. 20.

 

While the vote outlines funding and payout amounts, bonuses won’t be officially approved until the board meets in December.

 

Under the proposal, full-time employees would receive $850, and $500 would be given to part-time workers who work 20 hours per week or more. Part-timers who work less than 20 hours per week will get $250.

 

Members of the Board of Supervisors, Rockingham County School Board and elected constitutional officers are not eligible.

 

The supervisors’ vote comes two days after the School Board passed a resolution asking the board to provide bonuses if funding were available. Most county employees haven’t gotten raises in years.

 

Rockingham County Administrator Joe Paxton said the county is able to offer the one-time payment because employees have been diligent and saved about $2.6 million in allocated funds. The proposal will cost just under $2 million, Paxton added.

 

Members of the finance committee identified the unspent funds and recommended they be applied to bonuses.

 

“Rather than just spend and look for money, we look for money first,” said Supervisor Pablo Cuevas, chairman of the committee.

 

In previous years, unspent funds have gone to capital improvement projects and other needs, county officials say.

 

“This year, the finance committee said its most valuable resource is its employees,” Paxton said.

 

Board Chairman Bill Kyger said he’s hopeful that the economy will pick up so the county is able to fund permanent increases in compensation in the future.

 

Contact Jeremy Hunt at 574-6273 or jhunt@dnronline.com