Wilmington workers could get one time bonus

Wilmington Mayor James Baker wants City Council to approve the $2 million payments that would come from the city’s unassigned fund.

 

Baker says some city workers have gone without a cost of living increase over the past four years and deserve the money to help them pay their bills.  “The City’s budget outlook is bleak for the next few years at least, so, I have concluded that a one-time payment to employees in lieu of receiving a cost-of-living increase is a fair and appropriate step.”

City employees would receive between $175 and $500 for each fiscal year they did not get a cost-of-living pay increase.    The maximum any employee could receive would be four payments of $500 each.  “A one-time payment in this fiscal year will not add to projected budget deficits in future years and could represent the only chance for City employees to receive some amount of compensation for some time to come,” Baker said.

If approved by City Council, the money would be sent out on November 16.