New Year New Term
JPs approve bonus for county employees
The Hot Spring County Quorum Court started the new year by approving a bonus for county employees.
After being sworn in by Circuit Judge Chris Williams, the justices of the peace meet on Jan. 1 for a brief organizational meeting and then special meetings of the Budget and Finance Committee and the full court.
Hot Spring County Judge Dennis Thornton had previously proposed the idea of giving county employees a bonus during the court’s December meeting. Thornton told the court that money for the bonus would come from federal money given to the county through the CARES Act.
During the previous discussion last month, JP Mike Fletcher told fellow JPs that he was in favor of the bonus for county employees but felt elected officials should not receive the bonus.
“I don’t think we should vote ourselves a bonus,” he said adding that he is concerned that as the pandemic continues the money may be needed elsewhere.
After expressing his concern again, Fletcher was the only justice of the peace to vote against the item.
According to the approved ordinance, the total cost to the county for the bonus is $ 140,000.
In order the receive the full payment amount, employees must have been employed by the county on or before Oct. 1, 2020. Individuals who were hired after that date will receive a prorated amount based on their hire date.
The full payment is $ 1,082.50 for full- time employees and $ 541.25 for part- time employees.
The prorated amount is $ 3.66 per day for full- time employees and $ 1.83 for part- time employees.
The bonus will be paid on Jan. 7, 2021, according to the approved ordinance.
“The Quorum Court of Hot Spring County desires to provide a payment for employees due to the essential nature of their positions during the 2020 year,” according to the ordinance.
During an organizational meeting, the JPs voted to appoint Brian Coston as chairman, and they also voted to set their meeting schedule.
The court will continue to meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p. m.
The first meeting of each month will be the regular meeting of the full court and the second will be used for committee meetings.