The Gloucester Board of Supervisors approved a one-time bonus for county employees at a total cost of $191,086 during an electronic work session on Jan. 19.
The motion came from vice chairman Christopher Hutson after the board decided not to approve a cost-of-living adjustment catch-up in the same amount proposed by County Administrator Brent Fedors.
Due to budgetary constraints, COLA increases were eliminated in FY19 and FY20, and Hutson raised concerns that an additional increase would be required next year if approved. He asked if the board would have to pay $382,000 next year, which Fedors confirmed. Other members of the board echoed Hutson’s concern that raising the COLA at this time would not be responsible.
Given the uncertain state of the economy, Hutson motioned to turn the $191,086 into a one-time bonus for county employees. The motion was approved with a vote of 5-1, with Mike Winebarger casting the only no vote.
Also on a 5-1 vote, the board also voted to reinstate and fund...