Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners review FY26 amendment to pay employee bonuses and add ARPA-funded sewer work
Summary
Staff presented Resolution 1273-26 to add Chesapeake Employers Insurance dividends and a GOK COP retention bonus to the FY26 budget, proposing a three-tier bonus schedule that would total roughly $173,000; the amendment also includes about $2 million in ARPA-funded sewer work for Gateway and Shamrock pumping stations.
Bel Air South staff asked commissioners to give unofficial approval to Resolution 1273-26, a budget amendment that would allocate funds for employee bonuses and include ARPA-funded sewer capital work.
Rachel described the bonus plan in detail: the town received a dividend (Chesapeake Employers Insurance check) and proposed to distribute retention/dividend funds as follows — $1,900 for employees hired before Jan. 1, 2024; $950 for employees hired during 2024; and $475 for employees hired after Dec. 31, 2024. Part-time employees would receive a pro rata bonus. Staff estimated the total payouts at approximately $173,000; commissioners asked whether the Chesapeake deposit was $176,000, and staff confirmed the deposit amount discussed in the meeting.
Rachel also said an amendment to the sewer fund will incorporate ARPA revenue and expenses, primarily to fund work at the Gateway and Shamrock pumping stations, totaling about $2 million; staff said the work is expected to be completed before June 30 and will be reflected in the amendment.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about eligibility, timing and how bonuses interact with other retention payments. The transcript records discussion and clarification but does not show a final roll-call vote on the resolution during the public portion of the meeting.
