Justices review hourly increases for SFC workers
QC Budget committee to consider proposal to spend federal money
St. Francis County employees may soon be receiving a pay increase.
The SFC Quorum Court’s budget committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon to review a proposal by county judge Gary Hughes for a $2 per hour increase for all county workers for the next 24 months.
During a regular meeting of Court on Tuesday, Justices reviewed Hughes’s recommendation on how to use over $4.8 million the county has received through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds issued by the U.S. Government.
According to Hughes, the recovery funds that are being issued to the county have to be accounted for and reported to the government.
"The first page basically covers salary reimbursements," said Hughes. "The employees who are allowed to have their salaries reimbursed are the public health and safety employees. Those from St. Francis County who have been determined as eligible are the I40 Interdictory Force employees, our sheriff's deputies, our jailers, 911 operators and solid waste employees. The second page of the recommendation is money that will be spent."
Hughes said that part of the funds could be used as premium pay to give an ongoing bonus to all county employees for the next two years.
"The first item on the second page is $1 million that I am proposing being used as premium pay," said Hughes. “This is an additional $2 per hour for every county employee performing essential work during the Covid pandemic. I am proposing that we give all county employees this premium pay. They would all get the $2 per hour bonus for the next 24 months."
Hughes said he believes something needs to be done to show appreciation to county employees for the work they have done throughout the pandemic.
"I believe that our county employees are the greatest asset that we have. I think we need to do something to show them that we appreciate them," said Hughes. "The cost of that would be $1 million. They would have to sign something on the front end that they are fully aware that this is temporary pay that will end after 24 months unless the Quorum Court does something to keep it.”
Hughes said that by bringing this recommendation to the Quorum Court, he is giving justices time to review it over before the budget committee meeting next week.
"I wanted to start the process on showing all of you my recommendation on how we would use the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds," said Hughes. "I will have a budget committee meeting on Tuesday, that everyone is invited to, where we will begin our discussions on this. We will bring it back to the Quorum Court as early as August."
According to Hughes, $3.6 million will be saved in the current bank account, allowing the county to use those funds on other projects and issues in the future.
"What I am saying is, we already have a budget and we will not be spending any money to do this," said Hughes. "This page adds up to $3.6 million. This is what we will show the
government that we are spending $3.6 million on. If this recommendation is approved, no money will be spent from the county bank account, and the money that will be saved can be spent later on down the road in other areas of the county."
Hughes said that in addition to the $1 million to be spent on premium pay, $48,000 would be given over 24 months to the two food pantries in the county.
"I am also proposing that we support our local food pantries by giving them $1,000 per month for 24 months," said Hughes. "We have one food pantry in Forrest City and one in Hughes. I recommend that we support both with $1,000 per month for 24 months bringing that total to $48,000.”
In other business, justices approved a resolution allowing Circuit Clerk Bette Greene to apply for a grant to help her office to replace and upgrade computer equipment.
"This will not appropriate any funds,” said Hughes. “It will just give permission to apply for the grant. Once the grant comes in, we will appropriate the funds at a later date."
Hughes told justices that they also had business on the agenda regarding the reappointment of Delta Regional Airport Authority Board member Mike Easley, as well as the need to appoint someone to the SFC Museum Board.
"His first term has expired and we need to reappoint him to the board for his second term,” Hughes said of Easley.
"We also have a vacancy on the St. Francis County Museum Board," continued Hughes. "It is the Madison district, which is Justice (Roy) Winfrey's district. His recommendation is to appoint Rosie Lee Johnson of Madison to the position."
The budget meeting on Tuesday is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m., at the courthouse.