HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County commissioners, in a 2-1 vote, have authorized one time bonus payments to unionized prison employees, at the same levels as awarded in October to non-union employees.

In a side letter to the county’s contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — representing unionized prison employees — the county agreed to the payments to eligible employees in an effort to encourage retention.

Payments are authorized in three categories:

— Employees hired before March 15, 2020, and still work for the county will receive a $1,000 bonus if full time or $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 or $250 if part time.

— Those hired after Jan. 1, 2022, will receive a $300 bonus if full time or $200 if part time.

Commissioners Bruce Erb and Laura Burke voted in favor of the side letter with the unionized prison employees. Commissioner Amy Webster voted no, mirroring the votes she previously cast against bonus payments to non-union employees and to Children, Youth & Families’ unionized employees.

Webster objected to paying the bonuses with American Rescue Plan Act funds, which she described as taxpayer money that should be used for infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, to benefit all.

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. Using ARPA money to attract and retain employees is a permitted use, based on spending rules set by the federal government

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.