Florence Employees Get 4K; Lauderdale Employees Get the Shaft

 

You may be aware that many city, county, and state employees are sharing in the federal pandemic relief money. The problem is that not all government entities are recognizing employees who worked to keep offices functioning during the darkest days of what could certainly be called a plague.

Here's two accounts from readers:

A couple of weeks ago it was announced that all the Florence city workers were receiving a $4000 covid bonus for full time employees and $2000 for part time. I agree whole heartedly that they deserve it. But ...the license commissioner at the tag office (isn't). This is a county position. I was told that county employees, who also worked all through covid, were not getting any kind of bonus. They were the only tag office open in the state because they have a drive thru. I think the commission should reconsider and reward them for coming to work everyday.

And

I would like to have your investigative team to look in to why the commissioners of Lauderdale County did not take any relief and rescue money that they received from the federal government and help ease financial burdens on their employees. The city of Florence was able to give their full-time employees a bonus of $4000.00 and part-time employees $2000.00. 

What makes this interesting is that one of the commissioners for Lauderdale County also serves as a Florence police officer who received the $4000.00 bonus. What is upsetting is that surrounding municipalities like Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia were able to give employees money bonuses through the relief and rescue plan. 

This has more to do with principle versus money. I would just like answers as to the decisions that were made and why. This could be something where they are voting and haven't come up with an amount yet as well. I just think there needs to be some clarity on the whole issue.

We agree totally. We're sure many would also like to know why the Florence-Lauderdale Animal Services has to beg repeatedly to get the money that is OWED them by the commission. Any thoughts or inside info?