(The Middle Sq.) — Native governments throughout Georgia are doling out federal COVID aid cash to authorities workers as retention bonuses.
In March 2021, the U.S. Treasury Division stated the federal {dollars} have been primarily meant to assist governments “proceed to assist the general public well being response and lay the muse for a robust and equitable financial restoration.” A subsequent Treasury Division rule expanded how governments may use the cash, together with giving “premium pay for important employees.”
In Atlanta, metropolis leaders opted to present retention bonuses for uniformed police personnel and premium pay will increase to different frontline employees. Individually, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners took an analogous method and authorized a “frontline retention incentive program.”
“Did the Treasury Division develop using the cash past the intentions of Congress?” Sheila Weinberg, the founder & CEO of Reality in Accounting, advised The Middle Sq.. “One would query whether or not Atlanta and different cities are utilizing the COVID aid cash in ways in which Congress didn’t intend.”
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue included roughly $5 billion for Georgia’s state authorities and $3.5 billion for native governments in The Peach State. Native governments are turning to the ARRP’s Coronavirus State and Native Fiscal Restoration Funds to fund the worker bonuses.
Atlanta acquired greater than $170.9 million in SLFRF funds. Underneath the plan, uniformed personnel acquired whole yr compensation will increase starting from 5.9% to 10.25%, whereas captains, majors and chiefs acquired $1,000 retention bonuses.
Spokespeople for the town didn’t reply to requests from The Middle Sq. for extra details about the associated fee.
“These pay will increase are in recognition of the big dedication our law enforcement officials, firefighters and different frontline employees have proven to Atlanta,” Mayor Andre Dickens stated in an announcement.
In the meantime, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners authorized a “frontline retention incentive program,” funded by as much as $636,000 in ARP funds. Cobb County acquired greater than $147 million in SLFRF funding.
The county will give vital employees who began working with the county earlier than April 1 a one-time fee of $1,500. Staff should return the bonus if they don’t keep a complete yr.
“Probably the most worrisome side of the federal authorities ‘rescuing’ the cities, like Atlanta, is that these governments might now imagine that if future crises occur, as they do each seven to 10 years, they’ll rely on the federal authorities to present them cash,” Weinberg stated. “Town authorities officers would possibly rely on the federal taxpayers to present them cash as a substitute of planning for future crises themselves.”
By T.A. DeFeo | The Middle Sq. contributor
