Northport Council Approves Employee Bonuses, Vaccine Incentives

NORTHPORT, AL — The Northport City Council unanimously approved two separate measures on Thursday that will see more money put into the pockets of the city's full- and part-time employees.

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One measure will be for "Hero Bonuses" — $1,000 per full-time city employee and $500 per part-time worker. This one-time premium payout is made possible by $4.8 million in federal coronavirus aid dollars received by the city through the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.

"This is recognition of their service through the COVID pandemic and funded through the American Rescue Plan," said City Administrator Glenda Webb. "It will have no negative impact to our General Fund."

ALSO READ: How Northport Will Spend Its $4.8M From American Rescue Plan

The other will be cash incentives in the amount of $250 for employees who show proof of completing their vaccination series before Oct. 15. City officials hope this will not only cut down on sick days for employees, but will also keep City Hall staff and visitors safe.

The incentives are backdropped by a sustained fourth surge in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Tuscaloosa County, with DCH Health System reporting 159 coronavirus inpatients on Wednesday.

Webb stressed this was a non-mandatory participation initiative and also said officials hope the incentives will help control of the cost of the city's health insurance, since the city is self-insured.

She also pointed to the cost savings if hospitalizations are cut down.

DCH continues to promote the vaccine among the public and is still offering free appointments on Fridays at its remote site on the DCH Regional Medical Center campus in Tuscaloosa.

Click here to register for a vaccination appointment at DCH.

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