It’s a way to reward employees who worked through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo from Mayor Emily Keller – Hagerstown MD Facebook page
Hagerstown, MD (KB) The Hagerstown City Council discussed using funds from the American Rescue Plan to pay employees who worked through the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s according to Hagerstown Mayor Emily Keller, who said Council member Kristin Aleshire proposed to raise the stipend from $3,000 to $5,000 dollars.
“There was an amendment to make the $5,000 dollar the number, and that passed,” she said. “We didn’t know that he was going to propose that, but when he did, the other council members like the idea and made a motion to amend it.”
Keller said the City of Hagerstown employees worked the entire pandemic.
“We still provided the same level of service, which is certainly not the case with a lot of areas,” she said. “Police officers were still going in houses, our fire department, our public works department was still out in the public doing what they do, customer service was doing what they do.”
She said in a perfect world, all employees who worked would get hazard pay.
“They didn’t take time off, they were exposed to a virus, I think our employees deserve to feel appreciated for continuing the level of service that they did,” explained Keller.
Keller said many residents are thankful for the stipend.
“We have received a lot of very heart-felt messages already,” she said.
The goal date for employees to receive their checks is Friday, according to Keller.