Valparaiso may give COVID-19 premium pay to retired employees who no longer work for the city.
Back in May, the city council approved almost $750,000 in bonuses for first responders and other employees who worked during the pandemic. But that didn't include those who were there during the height of COVID but have since left.
Now, council member Peter Anderson wants to offer premium pay to eight retired city employees for a cost of about $18,000. "I spoke with several of my colleagues, and we think that it would be the right thing to do, to allow these folks in on the COVID pay," Anderson told the rest of the council Monday.
Anderson plans to add the premium pay into a proposed ordinance appropriating the remaining $6.9 million of the city's federal American Rescue Plan money.
Under the current spending plan, the bulk of that would be used to reimburse the city for lost revenue, ultimately freeing up funds to help pay for a 248-acre park and community sports complex, among other things. Another $575,000 dollars would go to seven nonprofit groups. The city council approved grant agreements with those organizations Monday.
However, some adjustments to the spending plan are expected at the council's July 25 meeting, and a public hearing will be held on the appropriation.