Honeycutt asks for $425K in bonuses for “essential” county employees

Wayne County employees who were deemed “essential employees” and those who handled the sanitation requirements during the COVID-19 crisis this past year could receive a $500 bonus next month.

County Manager Craig Honeycutt asked the commissioners to consider the one-time bump, which would go to more than 700 employees, at the board’s meeting Tuesday.

Honeycutt said the employees were not permitted to take advantage of the COVID-19 leave act, which would have allowed them to take paid time off to deal with family concerns and illness associated with COVID-19.

Because they were exempted, Honeycutt said the bonuses would be an acknowledgment of the sacrifices they made while others were able to stay at home.

Among those in the category include law enforcement, detention personnel, Emergency Management staff, including 911, the fire marshal, as well as Social Services and Public Health employees who were asked to be on the job to serve the needs of the citizens during the pandemic.

The county manager also added that facilities staff would be included in the bonuses, saying they went above and beyond to keep the county’s buildings clean during the pandemic and that while they were not exempted from the COVID-19 leave, “they were on the front lines.”

Honeycutt said the request was not being presented for action, but that it would be brought to the commission as a budget amendment with a final cost next month.

“We wanted to make sure we were in the ballpark first,” he said.

County Finance Director Allison Speight said the cost of the bonuses, plus benefits, would be roughly $425,000.

Honeycutt added that many county employees worked very hard during the pandemic, but that this extra sacrifice by these employees should be recognized.

“We appreciate all of our employees’ hard work,” he said.

There was no discussion.