Larry Lawrence, Kelly P’Pool and Lacy Bush contemplate this week on how to grant a bonus to county workers.
Magistrate Kelly P’Pool proposed giving the employees a holiday bonus, which is not permissible under a Kentucky law. The law says that no pay can be given to employees for work not performed. P’Pool originally proposed a “salary adjustment” for one month in lieu of a bonus.
County Attorney H.B. Quinn said, “If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it is a duck. What that is a bonus, and it is illegal.”
P’Pool noted that he seemed to be “the only one talking” about the proposed bonus, before asking just how many employees would need a salary adjustment in the various offices within the county government.
With help from other magistrates, Sheriff Randy Clark and County Clerk Wanda Thomas, 19 general employees, nine road department workers, four part-time jail employees, six in the clerk’s office and six employees from the sheriff’s office were identified. No staff members from the 911 dispatch were specifically mentioned. This adds up to a total of 44 county employees. The adjustment could cost the county $26,400, if the number of employees is correct. Each employee would gross $600 before taxes.
P’Pool asked Judge Executive Berlin Moore and County Treasurer Elsie Tinsdale if funds existed in the county budget to give each of the employees a raise of $100 per month for the second half of fiscal year 2006-2007, from January through July.
Moore said that funds did exist for the adjustment.
“Call it what you want, but it looks like a Christmas bonus, and that is illegal,” said Quinn.
Magistrate Larry Lawrence asked about the timing of a bonus, if it was paid in February.
“That would be a Christmas bonus in February,” Quinn said.
For the rest of this story, read this week's Cadiz Record.
