The Cole County Commission has approved a third round of additional pay for full- and part-time workers who are considered at high risk of potentially becoming infected with the COVID-19 virus while on the job.
Commissioners made the decision Tuesday. The first round of premium pay came with checks issued Feb. 3. The second round goes to the last paycheck issued March 31. The third round will go to the last paycheck in June.
Presiding Commissioner Sam Bushman and Eastern District Commissioner Jeff Hoelscher voted in favor while Western District Commissioner Harry Otto voted against.
In December, the commission allocated $1.5 million of the county's $14.9 million total from the federal American Rescue Plan funds for COVID-19 relief to provide premium pay for essential workers. They approved two premium levels for full-time workers, depending upon their level of exposure to the public -- $200 per two-week pay period and $100 per two-week pay period.
Commissioners later approved two premium levels for part-time workers -- $40 per two-week pay period and $20 per two-week pay period, depending upon their level of exposure to the public. The policy requires part-time staff have to work a minimum of eight hours a week before they can be considered eligible.
Department heads are eligible for the funds, but not elected officials. The difference in the pay level would be determined by what type of exposure the employee has in his or her interaction with the public.
Under the policy adopted, people working from home are not eligible for the premium pay because they are not being exposed to the virus at work. County officials said the premium pay program was intended to enhance pay of those who have work-related exposure.
Finance Officer Debbie Malzner said they are paying $56,000-$60,000 in premium pay per each two-week pay period.
Otto said he didn't mind being outvoted on this matter and wasn't against seeing employees get the money. He noted, though, currently no county employees are out dealing with COVID-19.
"Putting the money in for this doesn't mean we have to spend it all," Otto said.
However, Sheriff John Wheeler said he has a prisoner with COVID-19 in the county jail and thanks to the precautions and procedures they have in place none of the jail staff have shown any symptoms, for now.
"We established this for those exposed to COVID while working their job and that what's happening in this case," Wheeler said. "I know the same could be said with the EMS staff because they still have to go to calls where a person is exhibiting symptoms of COVID."
Video of this meeting is available on the county's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrKJLtE-HP0.