Politics

County employees getting $1,000 bonus

Tax Assessor Stan Duncan and County Attorney Russ Burrell watch a called Board of Commissioners meeting to approve and announce a $1,000 bonus for county employees.

By Bill Moss, Published: December 5, 2014

Describing their action as a reward for county employees' dedication, efficiency and spending discipline, Henderson County commissioners delviered a surprise bonus for some 725 workers three weeks before Christmas. 

In an unusual standup meeting on the floor of the mirrored dance studio of the Athletics and Activities Center on South Grove Street, commissioners enthusiastically authorized a one-time bonus of $1,000 each for all full-time county employees. Part-time employees will receive a pro rata bonus based on their weekly hours.

The expenditure of $825,000 is possible, commissioners declared, because the county has increased its fund balance by $4.5 million over the past four years. Just last month, the Board of Commissioners reviewed an audit showing that the county had padded its fund balance by $2.2 million at the end of the 2013-14 fiscal year by controlling spending and earning higher than projected revenue.

County Manager Steve Wyatt said Commissioner Michael Edney approached him about the possibility of a raise or bonus for employees.

"He asked me if it was doable. I said it was doable," Wyatt said. "He said 'I want to talk about it.' I said go to the commissioners and talk about it and come back with a consensus. I said just do one thing. Be unanimous when you decide what to do, speak with one voice and I'll figure out what the cost is and we'll make it happen."

In a series of one-on-one conversations, commissioners batted around several options before settling on the $1,000 bonus, Wyatt said. The bonus will be paid in a separate check, probably next week, Wyatt said. The $1,000 amount is before taxes, so workers will receive an amount less than that. The county has about 725 employees who will receive the bonus.

"From Day 1 Henderson County's been extremely blessed with employees, not really employees but partners, from the top to the bottom," Edney said during the seven-minute meeting, "and many times over the years instead of hiring extra people our people have stepped up and done the job in a much more efficient manner, not for self gain but for the people of the county."

"It's an oppprtunity to reward the hard work and daily attention to detail each county worker and supervisor's done, not only in the past four years but four years prior to that, to significantly increase the county's fund balance, working very effectively and very efficiently," said Commissioner Grady Hawkins. "I think they're well deserving of the compensaiton that we can provide to them and hope everybody has a Merry Christmas."

As the county's "newest employee," newly sworn in Commissioner Bill Lapsley said he would not receive the bonus. "But as a new member of this team I can tell you that from the outside watching the county over the last several years has been a very positive thing for the taxpayers, to see the county staff has worked together as a team and has been able to weather a serious economic downturn not only in Henderson County but all over the state and the country. As I have done in my business, when we have good times it's a team effort that causes that to happen, and I think members of the team certainly deserve and are entitled to share some of that success."

Wyatt said he thought the bonus applied to the elected commissioners as well. "I would think so," he said. "If you're a permament employee as of Dec. 1" the bonus would apply.

Vice Chairman  Charlie Messer and Chairman Tommy Thompson, who was listening in on a cell phone from Raleigh, thanked employees.

Commissioners held the meeting at the county rec center because they were already there for the annual county employee Christmas dinner.