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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- The Blair County Salary Board voted 3-1 on Wednesday to award one-time bonus payments ranging between $200 and $1,000 for non-union employees using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Commissioners Bruce Erb, Laura Burke and Controller A.C. Stickel voted yes, while commissioner Amy Webster voted no.
Wednesday's vote follows a similar action, taken Sept. 27, when commissioners, by a 2-1 vote, authorized using ARPA money to issue one-time bonus payments ranging between $500 and $2,000, for unionized employees in the county's Children, Youth & Families office.
In the Sept. 27 action, Erb and Burke voted yes. Webster voted no.
Webster said Wednesday that her votes against the bonuses reflect her belief that taxpayers cannot afford this.
"ARPA money is still taxpayer money, which should be used for things like infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, that can benefit all of us," Webster said.
Blair County was allocated $23.6 million from ARPA to counter the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and to lay a foundation for recovery. Commissioners have spoken in favor of using ARPA money to expand and improve broadband internet access but so far, they haven't identified how much.
At a commissioners meeting in March, Burke mentioned that she had heard of other counties using ARPA money to attract and to retain employees. It is a permitted use, the county confirmed in the Sept. 27 authorization of the bonus payments to CY&F employees who have been shouldering heavier workloads due to historically low staffing levels.
"This is one short-term thing we agreed on with the union to improve retention of our existing (CY&F) staff," Burke said. "It is unfortunate that the agency and the county as a whole cannot rely on Commissioner Webster to support our employees."
Webster, during the Sept. 27 meeting, explained that if the county had unlimited funds, she would love to be able to pay more to all county employees.
"I recognize that they are working hard in difficult times and circumstances," Webster said. "But the reality is that everyone is suffering from the economic plagues of the policies that have led to mass job resignations and out-of-control inflation. "Our taxpayers are also suffering. They are not receiving bonuses or higher pay."
Stickel, who voted only on the non-union bonus payments, said his vote reflects that the action has no impact on the county's general fund since ARPA money will cover the cost. He also said that his vote was based on the majority vote of the commissioners on the CY&F bonuses.
"We have an opportunity here to show some appreciation for those who came to work during the COVID pandemic and are still with us," Stickel said. "Retaining employees, keeping them on staff, that helps save time and money for training new ones."
Webster, however, questions if the bonus payments will have that effect.
CY&F employees said Wednesday that their department continues to lose employees, including ones who were aware of the pending bonuses.
Based on the Sept. 27 vote, CY&F employees who were hired on or before March 15, 2020, the date when commissioners declared an emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, were to receive a $2,000 bonus.
CY&F employees hired after March 15, 2020, and have worked at least 365 days since that date were to be issued a $1,000 bonus.
CYF employees with less than 365 days of continuous active employment as of Sept. 27 were authorized to receive a $500 payment and an additional $500 payment upon completing 365 days of employment with CY&F.
The cost of the CY&F bonuses, affecting 20 employees, added up to $25,000.
Bonuses for non-union employees were authorized in three divisions.
Those hired before March 15, 2020, and still work for the county receive a $1,000 bonus if full-time and $500 if part-time.
Those hired between March 15, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2021, and still work for the county will receive a $500 bonus if full-time and $250 if part-time.
Those hired after Jan. 1, 2022, will receive a $300 bonus if full-time and $200 if part-time.
Human Resources Director Katherine Swigart said Wednesday that the non-union payments, for 110 employees, adds up to $93,550, exclusive of taxes and benefits that are also to be covered with ARPA funds.
Erb also added that all elected officials, temporary employees and per diem employees are excluded from receiving these payments.