Cumberland: Officials announced on Saturday that more than 2,000 Cumberland County employees will receive a one-time payment. The Board of Commissioners unanimously decided to add the stipend issue to the consent agenda for its October 21 meeting during Thursday’s agenda session.
Additional Pay For Cumberland County Employees
County Manager Clarence Grier proposed the additional pay for county employees hired as of July 1, 2024, who stay employed until the stipend is paid, based on the FY24 audit and the preliminary fund balance, the county said in a press release. When the county finished the class and compensation analysis in October 2023, Grier did not suggest a cost-of-living adjustment in the FY24 budget. According to him, as of September 27, 2,008 workers satisfied the requirements to be eligible for the extra compensation.
Amount Of Additional Pay
A 5.25% stipend would be given to workers making between $0 and $50,000, which means that salaried workers making $50,000 would get $2,625. A 4% stipend would be paid to employees making $50,000 to $100,000, or $4,000 for those making $100,000.
A 3% stipend would be given to employees making $100,000 to $150,000, or $4,500 for those making $150,000. A 2.75% stipend would be paid to employees making between $150,000 and $200,000, or $5,500 for those making $200,000. Workers who made above $200,000 would get a 2.5% stipend.
One Time Stipend
Grier clarified that the one-time stipend will cost the county $5,021,531 in total, including salary and benefits, for a total of $6,001,620. According to county spokeswoman Diane Rice, the net cost takes into account money the county will get from the state in refunds for parts of the stipend paid to local child support and social services staff. Grier suggested including the stipends in the November first payment.