News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Employee bonuses, mental health services, and departmental upgrades could be avenues of spending for Monterey’s ARP funding.
The Finance Committee discussed Tuesday the spending of some $850,000 of federal funding. Chairman Nathan Walker said the most pressing item at this time is the employee bonuses for those who worked through the pandemic.
“Being equable and try to spread out to all the city employees throughout all the departments as many departments as we can and then taking a portion of that money actually for the public is very very important,” Walker said.
City Recorder Ella Dishman said she spoke on behalf of the city employees and mentioned a $5,000 bonus for workers that qualify.
“I’ve heard a lot of different numbers, and I’ve thrown out a lot of different numbers, but a lot of the employees including I would like $5,000,” Dishman said. “That would be $250 a month we have all worked through it (the pandemic).”
After about an hour of discussion on spending, Walker made the motion recommending $4,000 bonuses for the Board of Aldermen to consider. Walker said the committee would like the checks to go out by Christmas.
“We can do more, because we don’t have as many people to do for if we only have 30 city employees versus like Baxter,” Walker said.
Grant Writer Dawn Kupferer said volunteers of the fire department would not be included in this round due to the funding stipulations, but Walker said he would work with Fire Chief Keith Peters to make a list of needed gear.
Kupferer said new brush and sewer trucks, a generator at the water department, tech upgrades for the police department and PPE gear for the fire department are among the highest priorities also being considered.
