City employees to receive ‘premium pay’

Allyson Dix

Jobe Publishing, Inc.

 

In a special-called meeting on Nov. 1, the Glasgow City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to transfer funds for the purpose of dispersing premium pay to city employees. The funds are from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021.

On March 11, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the act into law to provide direct aid to numerous entities and municipalities across the country relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ARPA Recovery Funds are to be distributed to the City of Glasgow in two equal payments totaling $3,751,021 over a course of two fiscal years. Glasgow has received the first payment of $1,875,511. Amounts that cities received are based on their 2019 population estimates, which totaled 14,485 for Glasgow.

Grant Writer for the City of Glasgow April Russell told the council work was done with the Department of Local Government and Kentucky League of Cities to ensure funds would be spent appropriately in regards to the federal regulations.

City employees will receive around $3.70 per hour for hours worked from 3/1/2020 through 3/1/2021, which does not include any telework hours or other time off. The Glasgow Mayor, City Attorney, and City Council will not receive any premium pay per Glasgow Mayor Harold Armstrong.

Russell said a maximum of around $6,300 per employee was put in place and 70-75% of employees met that maximum amount, which equates to a full 2,080 hours worked.

Russell said in comparison to Barren County employees, who are expected to receive $5 per hour across the board premium pay, “They got more than double the money” that Glasgow received.

The other half of the money is expected to arrive in the Summer of 2022 with the intent to use in the community including help for small businesses as long as federal regulations stay the same.

More information can be found regarding ARPA Recovery Funds at https://www.klc.org/News/9675/american-rescue-plan-resource-page.

 

Annexation Ordinances

City councilmembers also approved first readings for the following:

• Annexing into the city limits 0.33 acres at 647 Roseville Rd., including rezoning property as light industrial district classification;
• annexation into city limits 1.98 acres at 3014 New Bowling Green Rd., including rezoning property from heavy industrial district to general business district classification;
• annexation into the city limits, 0.28 acres at 3216 New Bowling Green Rd., including rezoning as low-density residential district;
• annexation into city limits 151.912 acres at 249 South Cooper Road including rezoning property as heavy industrial district.

 

Announcements

Mayor Armstrong announced the following before adjourning:

• City 2021 Property Tax Bills have been mailed, to receive a 2% discount, payments must be received by Nov. 30. For questions concerning tax bills, call 270-651-5131;
• City Leaf Collection: Zone 1 (Nov. 8-12); Zone 2 (Nov. 15-19); Zone 3 (Nov. 22-24).

The next council meeting is scheduled for Nov. 8 at 7 PM at the Glasgow City Hall Council Chambers.