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Amherst County approves one‑time bonuses for full‑time staff and $250 for regular part‑time employees
Summary
The board approved a one‑time bonus program—1.5% to full‑time employees and a $250 one‑time payment to regular part‑time staff—funded from the general fund; county staff estimated the county cost at roughly $201,000 after state reimbursements and projected carryover.
The Amherst County Board of Supervisors approved a one‑time employee bonus plan, adopting a motion to provide a 1.5% bonus to full‑time county employees and a $250 one‑time payment for regular part‑time employees.
Staff finance director Stacy McBride presented five options for distributing a 1.5% bonus tied to state bonus programs and explained how state reimbursements and local matches affect county cost. After discussion of funding sources and timing, Supervisor Martin moved to provide bonuses to full‑time employees and $250 to regular part‑time employees; the motion passed on a voice vote.
McBride said the estimated county cost for the chosen option is approximately $201,000 after accounting for compensation-board and state reimbursements. She told supervisors the funding would come from the general fund, and she estimated available reserves (future fund and unobligated funds) of roughly $8.7 million at the time of the meeting. McBride said her midyear estimate of actual use of fund balance for fiscal 2025 was about $700,000 (down from a previously budgeted $2.4 million), but she cautioned final numbers depend on actual year‑end revenues and encumbrances.
Board members discussed whether the bonus should apply to all staff, how state reimbursements would flow to departments such as DSS and the compensation board, and whether this one‑time bonus would affect retirement contributions. McBride said the bonus is a onetime payment and does not count toward retirement (VRS).
Why this matters: Supervisors cited support for county employees and the need to respond to state bonus offers, while expressing caution about reducing reserves for recurring uses. The board directed staff to prepare the budget ordinance and implement payroll adjustments for July when practical.
Clarifying details: McBride listed five draft options during the presentation (ranging from targeted to state‑supported employees only, up to all full‑time and part‑time staff) and provided county cost estimates for each; the motion approved corresponds to the option estimated to cost about $201,000 to the county after reimbursements. The board approved the appropriation on a majority voice vote.
