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Mills River City Council has allocated $ 75,000 from the U.S. Rescue Plan Act towards firefighters bonus payments.
The decision was made “in recognition of the dedicated service that Mills River residents provided during the COVID-19 pandemic,” by the “notable” staff and volunteers of Mills River Fire and Rescue, a city press release said .
Mills River received $ 2.3 million in ARP funding. Councilor Brian Kimball asked the council to discuss how some of the money could be used for key workers during the November 18 meeting.
“Often times, these men and women responded to other emergency situations such as vehicle accidents that required close interaction, which increased their risk of exposure to COVID not only for themselves but also for their own families when they returned home,” said Kimball.
The approval of the voters was unanimous. Mayor Chae Davis and Alderman Roger Snyder did not vote because everyone has a family member who works with the department.
“During the pandemic, service for Mills River was challenging and far from a normal lifestyle,” said fire chief Rick Livingston in the press release. “It’s been very tough years and the fact that the city was considering us. Funding is very much appreciated.”
In the months ahead, the council will work to ensure that Mills River residents “get the most out of this unique funding opportunity,” the press release said.
The council also unanimously approved the motion by City Councilor Randy Austin to spend $ 15,000 on Christmas bonuses for city workers, with the exception of councilors. Austin said he wanted to give the bonuses as employees continued to work without office or park closings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bonuses do not come from ARP funding and it is up to Town Manager Daniel Cobb to decide who the bonuses go to.
Lurah Lowery is the education and city government reporter for the Hendersonville Times-News, which is part of the USA Today Network. Email her at llowery@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @lurahlowery and Facebook.com/lurahjournalist.
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https://www.blueridgenow.com/story/news/2021/11/24/mills-river-firefighters-receive-premium-covid-19-pay/8738091002/
