Supervisors approve one-time $1,000 bonus for full-time county employees, $500 for part-time

The Russell County Board of Supervisors approved a one-time bonus to county employees — $1,000 for full-time employees and $500 for part-time employees — to equalize compensation after the state and school board actions on a 1.5% bonus for certain positions.

Lonzo Lester, Russell County administrator, told the board the state paid $74,059.74 to cover the 1.5% bonus for SOQ (Standards of Quality) positions and constitution officers, and that bringing all county employees up to a $1,000 full-time bonus would cost $134,516.21 in total. Lester said the difference — $60,555.47 — would be covered by school reversion funds that a school official had agreed to return to the county, and that approximately $20,000 would be needed to cover part-time employee bonuses.

A motion to provide a $1,000 bonus for full-time county employees and $500 for part-time employees was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. Board members and the administrator discussed timing and cash flow; Lester said the reversion funds will be received and restricted in the treasurer’s office for the new fiscal year and that the bonus is a one-time payment that will not affect future payrolls.

Lester also noted that some constitution officers receive more than $1,000 from the state 1.5% payment and that the board cannot reduce amounts paid by the state; the board’s action supplements those who received less than the $1,000 benchmark. The administrator said staff will coordinate timing with payroll so payments can be made once the funds are received and processed.