Greene County adopts ordinance authorizing employee performance bonuses; board to decide funding approach later

The Greene County Board of Supervisors on Monday adopted an ordinance authorizing the county to approve employee performance bonuses under Section 15.2‑1508 of the Code of Virginia, clearing the way for the county to accept state-provided bonus funds for certain positions and to approve future bonus programs under the ordinance.

The board approved the ordinance by roll‑call vote after amending language to require board involvement in specified approval steps. The roll call recorded ayes from Mr. McQuiggan, Mr. Goolsby, Ms. Durham, Mr. Lamb and the chair; the motion carried.

County staff explained the change is necessary under state law to accept and distribute bonuses even when the funding is state-sourced. Staff said the state will provide about $65,000 to cover bonuses for positions funded through the state’s compensation board (comp‑board positions). Two implementation options were outlined: limit bonuses to employees in the impacted departments (staff estimated locally required funds of roughly $81,863 in that scenario) or provide a comparable, county-funded bonus across all employees (staff estimated local funds of about $127,600 would be required).

Finance staff proposed several ways to cover local costs without requesting additional appropriation: an internal reallocation within department budgets (which could be difficult for some offices), a small across‑the‑board reduction from departments with budgets above $250,000 (estimated to raise about $90,000), drawing $27,000 from contingency, and a proposed $10,000 shift from the county’s fuel line. Staff also noted other options, including using unexpended funds from the fiscal year ending June 30 or delaying filling new positions (estimated savings about $100,000).

Staff said state-funded bonuses for comp‑board positions are expected to be paid as soon as July 11; other bonuses, if approved, may be paid on a different timeline. Eligibility in the staff memo was described as employees hired before April 1 and constitutional officers and Department of Social Services staff for whom the state provides funding.

At the public hearing before the vote, resident Jennifer Lewis Fowler raised concerns about county finances and the effect of earlier board decisions, saying, “If the county has been unable to pay $14,000,000 to date, how will it be able to be in the position to pay that plus interest by 2028?” Fowler was referring to an earlier board action to defer payment on a 2022 bond related to the reservoir project.

Board members said the ordinance itself does not appropriate funds; any bonus payments beyond the state-funded amounts would require a separate funding decision. Several supervisors urged more research and discussion on the exact funding approach and timing; one supervisor suggested final decisions be made at the June 24 meeting to allow the state funds to be distributed promptly.

Action taken

- Ordinance adopting authority to approve employee performance bonuses under Code of Virginia §15.2‑1508; board amended approval steps and voted to adopt (roll‑call: unanimous; outcome: approved).