Covington County Commission approves bonus for employees and holiday schedule

The Covington County Commission approved a 2024 holiday schedule and also announced an annual pay increase for county employees during an regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, November. 14.

The 2024 holiday schedule the county employees will receive a holiday pay check for 14 days during the next year. This is consistent with the holiday calendar as in the past. In addition, the commission voted to approve an one-time salary increase that county staff. In the event of approval for the budget amendment, which is $85,000 employees with full-time jobs will receive $500, while part-time employees will get $250 as a one-time bonus. The payment is expected to be received within the next few days following the Thanksgiving holiday.

The commission debated the possibility of adopting Amendment 909 policies and procedures.

“We are considering an option that would allow the commission to acknowledge employees in a way that is appropriate like having an appreciation luncheon for employees,” administrator Karen Sowell said.

According the county attorney Morgan Arrington, legal process calls for the commission to consider the possibility of adopting the proposed amendment during an open meeting prior to the adoption. This topic will be in an agenda item for December’s meeting.

“You have a plan that could be legal under the law of today. If it is in line with your desires then you will be able to share with the world today that this is the program you’d like to introduce at the next meeting. Prior to the constitutional amendment that was passed just a few years ago the county was not allowed to celebrating its employees with lunches, plaques or any other similar items. This amendment allows you to acknowledge the employees in any way you want whether that’s with longevity or plaques, pins, or even lunch.” Arrington said.

Chairperson Greg White said the commission’s main concern at the moment is allowing the commission organize a luncheon to county workers. The commission did not take any action during the meeting.

The commission received information from the Sheriff Blake Turman on the county’s K-9 policy. Sheriff Turman requested an additional dog. The commission voted 2-1 favor of approving the dog that was accompanied by Dist. 2 Commissioner Michael Smith and Dist. 4-commissioner Tommy McGaha saying yes. Dist. 3 Commissioner Lynne Holmes was against Dist. 3 commissioner Lynne Holmes opposed Dist. 1 Commissioner Kenneth Northey was absent from the meeting.

In other businesses:

• The commission discussed the possibility of making additional board members to members of the Personnel Review Board. The commission did not take action at the time of the meeting, however further discussion will be held at the next meeting.
• The commission was able to discuss travel out of state to be used by The commission discussed travel for the Sheriff’s Department. There was no action taken however, and further discussion will be addressed at the next meeting.
• The commission voted unanimously to approve the retail liquor license for restaurants to Hilltop Restaurant and owner-operator Jimmy Adam Turner.
• The commission voted to adopt an ordinance authorizing the conjoint Alabama road rehabilitation application together with The City of Andalusia. The project is situated near the junction of Brooklyn Road, South Three Notch Street along with the West Bypass near Fletcher’s.
• The commission has approved the acceptance of a bid for bituminous coating at S&C Materials and Paving Inc. It was the only bidder.
• The commission has approved the awarding of a bid to mixing hot asphalt for Wiregrass Construction Inc., which was the only bidder.
• The commission has approved the acceptance of a bid for locally-sourced lime bases to CR Pate Logging, which was the sole bidder.
• The commission ratified the request of the Engineer’s Department to change the disposal procedure for an item that was previously classified as surplus. The item will be auctioned off on GovDeals auction, with the reserve price of $110,000.

This is the next scheduled meeting for Covington County Commission Covington County Commission is scheduled to take place on December. 12 9 a.m. in Covington County Administration Building. Covington County Administration Building. The public is welcome to attend.

The article Covington County Commission approves the holiday schedule for employees and a bonus schedule was first published at The Andalusia Star-News.