Here’s how much Lexington County employees will get in hazard pay for COVID work
Lexington County employees who worked in frontline positions through the COVID-19 pandemic will be getting a pay bonus.
Lexington County Council approved the money this week out of federal American Rescue Plan COVID relief funding that was signed into law in March by President Joe Biden. The council agreed to distribute $7.3 million of the funds — dubbed premium pay — to “essential” county employees who had regular in-person contact with the public during the pandemic, or who handled items which had been handled by others.
Per person, an essential employee will get between $1,600 and $5,700 in premium pay, depending on the amount of time worked between Jan. 27, 2020, and March 21, 2021, and their risk of exposure to COVID-19 on the job, the county said in a news release.
“On behalf of the Lexington County Council, I would like to thank all county employees for their extraordinary efforts to provide daily service to the people of Lexington County through the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic,” Lexington County Council Chairman Todd Cullum said.
“Every employee contributed to the ability of the county to continue to provide uninterrupted services during this time. The premium pay plan for county employees is well deserved and recognizes the faithful and loyal employees that deliver the quality services we have come to expect and appreciate in Lexington County.”
Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon also praised the pay bump, which will give some extra cash to his deputies.
“This effort will go a long way to thank our men and women who serve our citizens daily and stood strong during this pandemic in the past, present and future,” Koon said.
The $7 million county employees will receive is just part of the $58 million Lexington County is getting in local recovery funds. The county is asking for residents’ feedback on how to spend the rest of the money in an online survey.
This story was originally published October 15, 2021 at 10:03 AM.
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