Lee County supervisors approve state-funded one-time bonuses for qualifying county employees

The Lee County Board of Supervisors voted June 17 to adopt a resolution enabling the county to accept and distribute state-provided one-time bonuses to qualifying county officers and employees.

The resolution, introduced at the start of the meeting, implements a 1.5% one-time bonus from the Virginia General Assembly that will flow through the county payroll system for eligible employees in specified departments, county staff said. County staff and a DSS representative told supervisors the funds are already in county accounts and that no county funds are needed to make the payments.

"This is state money that's been passed down," said a county staff member, clarifying that the county's role is administrative: accepting the funds and disbursing them through payroll. The county's staff said the ordinance must be returned to the state after board approval so distribution can proceed; funds are expected to be dispersed after July 1.

The board received brief explanation from the Department of Social Services and then approved the resolution by voice vote. A motion to approve the resolution (identified in the packet as 25-0007) was made and seconded; the board chair called for the vote and the board voted "Aye." No roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes.

Why it matters: The action permits state funds to be distributed to eligible county employees without drawing on county general funds. County staff emphasized that the bonus program uses state appropriations and does not increase local expenditures.

Ending: After the vote supervisors moved on to other agenda items, including the budget public hearing and public comment.