While details will be worked out with department heads, Banks County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies up to the rank of sergeant and fire/EMS personnel will receive hazardous duty pay for hours worked during the COVID-19 crisis.
Similarly, detention officers and 9-1-1 dispatchers in the county will receive hazard pay for working during the coronavirus crisis, but at a lower amount.
The county commission approved the measure during Tuesday night’s meeting, authorizing Human Resources Director Arlene Ivey to work with department heads to determine stipulations and exceptions.
“We promised our employees, and we always have, that we’d take care of them,” said Commission Chairman Jimmy Hooper. “Maybe this is not to the extent they want, but this is to the extent I think we can give.”
Road deputies up to the rank of sergeant and fire/EMS personnel will receive $250 per pay period for up to four pay periods.
Detention officers and 9-1-1 dispatchers will receive $150 per pay period for up to four pay periods.
“This is going to be somewhere between $13,000 and $14,000 on our payroll each time,” Hooper said. “That’s not in the budget, so that’s going to have to come from other funds.”
Commissioner Charles Turk pointed out commissioners can stop it at any time after a full pay period if the crisis ends sooner.
“This proposal, I think, is very fair,” Ivey said.
