By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

            Chiefland City Commissioners are giving each of their 38 employees $1,500 of incentive pay through the American Rescue Plan Act.

            On advice of City Attorney Norm Fugate, the additional money isn’t being called a bonus. It’s an incentive payment.

            The total cost of the incentive pay is $57,000 for the city.

            ARPA is probably better known as one of the COVID-19 rescue bills passed by Congress. The city has received $547,000. An additional $547,000 will be received in the fall of this year.

            City Manager Laura Cain said the city’s auditors, James Moore & Co., said the money could be used for any general operating fund expense except for reducing tax revenue, excess pension contributions, debt service, or creating a rainy-day fund.

            “As part of the discussion, I would like you to consider – I don’t know how to word this because it’s not the word I want to use – consider doing something for the employees,” Cain said, starting the discussion of how a portion of the ARPA money could be spent.

            Fugate said when ARPA was first approved by Congress there were many restrictions on how the money could be used, but he said that has changed. He said the money could be used for employee incentive pay.

            “The law doesn’t allow giving bonuses – to give money after work is performed,” he said. “What you would have to do is give an incentive.”

            The motion to give all city employees a $1,500 incentive effective June 1 passed unanimously.

            Ball Dropped

            Mayor Chris Jones thanked employees for staying with the city.

            “I’m very grateful we have employees that have stuck with us. It’s very hard times. I could speak to some of our employees other than fire and police and let them know we are doing what we can to make some changes within our budget to give a better salary,” Jones said.

            “The reality of it, a lot of our employees could leave this place right now and go down to Popeyes and make better money. It’s not being sarcastic; it’s just being honest. We’re truly appreciative of our employees having stuck with us and I would like to thank you for that.”

            Cain asked if there were other suggestions for the money.

            Commissioner Norman Weaver said he would like to see the old clock tower in front of City Hall torn down and replaced by a simple sign that says, City Hall.

            “It’s non-functioning. It does nothing. Tear the thing down and let’s put up a sign that says, City Hall. It is embarrassing. I’d like to see that thing gone,” Weaver said.

            The old clock tower was used as a time and temperature device by the former Levy County State Bank. It stopped working before the city commission bought the former bank building and converted it to City Hall.

            Cain said she was hoping to replace the clock tower with what she called “a rolling sign” that would be used for announcements such as Election Day or to notify the public that water bills are due.

            Fugate suggested commissioners or department staff develop a wish list of projects they would like funded by the ARPA funds and then prioritize and rank them before voting on which projects are most important. Cain she said would bring something back to the board.

            Resident Alice Monyei said she hopes some of the ARPA money is spent on recreation. She said Buie Park is in need of permanent water fountains with a very solid base that would be difficult to destroy.

            Cain said she was already planning to present it to commissioners as part of the city budget.

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City of Chiefland Regular Meeting May 9, 2022; Posted May 16, 2022