Commissioners approve one-time hazard pay bonuses, may consider more employees

The Bartholomew County Courthouse figures prominently in the early part of the "It Began With Bartholomew" documentary. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Final approval was given to a proposal giving a one-time bonus to nearly 55% of all Bartholomew County employees at the end of this week.

Initial approval was unanimously given Dec. 6 by the Bartholomew County commissioners to allocate $357,750 for what the county describes as “employee premium pay.” Final approval of the bonuses was given Monday.

There will be 227 full-time employees receiving a one-time payment of $1,500, while 23-part time workers will get a single-payment of $750.

Impacted employees are assigned to the following departments: County Clerk; Code Enforcement; County Commissioners staff members (not elected officials); E911; Emergency Management; Environmental Health; County Highway Department; Information Technology; County Jail; Maintenance; Public Health Nursing; Sheriff’s Department and Weights and Measures.

Those who have faced the greatest dangers during the current pandemic are health department nurses, patrol officers and corrections officers at the county jail, Commissioner Tony London said.

After the initial vote was taken last week, the commissioners went back over the 456 county workers and determined there are a small number of additional people entitled to the bonus, London said.

Commissioners Chairman Larry Kleinhenz specifically mentioned some employees of Bartholomew County Youth Services during Monday’s meeting.

“We may add to the list after the New Year,” Kleinhenz said.

For the complete story, see Tuesday’s Republic.