By Ray King
Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson told members of the Quorum Court on Tuesday that he wants them to think about giving county employees a bonus before the holidays.
During the monthly meeting of the county’s legislative body, which was held remotely, Robinson said he has talked to many of the elected officials who are in favor of the idea and would talk to the rest when he could.
Last year, elected officials used money from their budgets that had not been spent to pay bonuses to their employees and Robinson said bonuses would “be a big morale booster.”
He also said that he hoped the county would be able to give employees a pay increase during the first quarter of next year, if revenue is available. He mentioned a 4 percent pay hike, which would be the first pay increase for most county employees in several years.
Also Tuesday, the Quorum Court turned down a request from First Division Circuit Judge Alex Guynn, who wanted a part-time position in his office reinstated. In a letter to Robinson and Finance Committee Chairman Ted Harden, Guynn said the First Division of Circuit Court has filled the position for over 20 years with the part-time employee serving as an administrative assistant who helps answer the phone, data entry, creating court dockets and other duties.
“Due to the substantial amount of criminal cases and the fact that we have maintained the integrity of that position for several years, we are in dire need of our part-time person,” Guynn said in the letter.
The position was removed when Robinson ordered all county elected officials to downsize their offices as a result of the county’s financial woes.
Robinson opposed the request, saying
