County’s hourly employees getting bonus

PRESCOTT – Most of the Nevada County Quorum Court’s August meeting was discussion as there was little business to be dealt with.

The meeting, held Tuesday afternoon, began with questions about finances, especially the Nevada County Jail’s budget. Nevada County Treasurer Lisa Loe said bills haven’t been paid for the jail this month as there’s another payroll coming up. The jail has $26,000 in its budget, she told the court, which is why the bills weren’t paid. Otherwise, she added, the county is caught up for the most part.

Justice of the Peace Pat Grimes said the court does a budget every year, but the county can’t seem to stay within it.

JP Bob Cummings told the court Mary Godwin, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, said the county was approved of a grant for $21,000 to from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, with the money to be used for salaries for employees of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.

Nevada County Judge Mark Glass said the county has done all it can to get things ready for the Nubbin Hill project, adding the city is still waiting on the bore contractor to move the water line.

The only real business was the approval of an American Recovery Plan Act grant for the Nevada County Library for $10,000.

As the meeting wound down, JP Chris Fore suggested using some of the CARES Act money to give county employees a $500 bonus. He said the hourly workers keep showing up, and as this is a poor county, higher wages can’t be offered. The hourly employees, he continued, have gone above and beyond during this pandemic and deserve something for their dedication. The court agreed and voted to give all hourly employees, but no elected officials, a $500 bonus after taxes.

Cummings suggested the county get in touch with an AFLAC representative to help with medical expenses as the federal government is no longer paying people who miss work due to COVID. Glass agreed to talk to an AFLAC representative and have them talk to all of the employees.