Christmas “greener” for county workers

Grady County employees got an early Christmas present last week when it was announced the board of commissioners had tentatively approved end of year bonuses for all county workers and on Tuesday night county leaders made it official.
The Grady County Commission voted unanimously to ratify the verbal approval to pay $31,300 in end-of-year bonuses to county workers.
The bonuses were paid based on the employee’s years of service. Employees with six months to one year of service were paid $50; employees with two to five years experience were paid $100; employees with six to 10 years service received $250 and those with more than 10 years service were paid $500.
County commissioners also approved the closing of all county offices at noon on next Tuesday, Dec. 24.
The surprise announcement was made to county employees last week at the annual Christmas luncheon hosted by the county commission.
“The employees were really surprised and for many of them this is their Christmas,” County Clerk Carrie Kines said.
The board also approved Tuesday to fund a three percent cost of living pay increase in 2014. Commissioners had included the approximately $127,000 in the 2014 operating budget to cover a three percent raise, but had delayed approving it until the end of 2013 in order to evaluate the county’s financial position.
The commission voted unanimously to fund the cost of living raise for county employees.