County employees get bonus

PRESCOTT – More than 40 people filled the Nevada County Courthouse for the June meeting of the Nevada County Quorum Court Tuesday, mostly county employees.’

They weren’t disappointed as the court approved giving all full-time employees a $500 bonus using part of the CARES Act funds provided by the federal government earlier to help with the COVID pandemic.

Justice of the Peace Bob Cummings said he’d met with the Nevada County Sheriff, Nevada County Judge and others about this, and checked around to see what other counties have done. He learned several area counties have also given bonuses using the CARES money. Cummings pointed out the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office is down to seven jailers and there’s a problem keeping people because of the pay. On average, he said, those who get paid from county general funds take home $313 a week, while road and bridge employees take home $391 a week and jailers take home $376 a week.

He suggested, and moved, the court approve giving all full-time employees a $500 bonus from the COVID relief money, saying those were scary times and there were occasions when the courthouse had to be closed because of the virus. He reminded the court the county received $400,000 from the first installment of CARES Act money, and giving this bonus to the county’s 73 full-time employees would amount to $36,500. He closed saying his check of surrounding counties showed they’ve used these funds in a similar fashion.

It was pointed out members of the court wouldn’t be receiving anything. Cummings added the county is working on getting more money for its employees and the work they do is appreciated.

In other business, Judge Mark Glass said all the easements for the Nubbin Hill Bridge project have been signed, and the project is waiting on the boring company to bore under the creek to move a water line for the City of Prescott.

Jamie Hillery, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce reminded those on hand the farmer’s market is open and it’s main day will be Friday. She pointed out there are more farmers this year than in the past and encouraged everyone to visit the market for fresh produce. She also told about a ribbon cutting held for UAMS’s Research Evaluation Division, introducing Berry Marks who is overseeing it.

Marks said he partnered with UAMS because health care is needed in the area. He said they will also be having a food bank and clothing on hand to help out with these needs. Plans are to have doctors available to provide monthly exams, and bring medical students in to do screenings – all at no cost to the patrons. Marks said they’re also working to get grants to help drug offenders, and will be doing programs on HIV, child abuse and health eating, among others.

He urged the community to keep the office busy as this is a pilot project, the first in the state. If things work out, similar offices will be opened on other parts of the state. Marks reminded everyone everything that happens at the office is confidential.

The court approved an ordinance to allow the Nevada County Treasurer’s Office to set up a fund for American Rescue Plan Act funding for COVID relief money.

JP Herbert Coleman asked if the court would allow two public meetings to be held at the court’s July 13 meeting. One of the meetings is to close out a grant for the Oak Grove Community Center project and the other is to open a new grant for the project. The court agreed adding the hearings will be done at 4:30 p.m. prior to the regular meeting of the court.