Powder Springs will pay employees $500 to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19, drawing on federal relief dollars to make the payments.
City Council narrowly approved the payments Monday night by a vote of 3-2, with two council members objecting to the idea of paying workers to take the vaccine. With one council member absent, Mayor Al Thurman cast the decisive vote after the four present deadlocked on the issue.
Powder Springs has 76 employees, according to city spokesman Jon Gargis. It was not clear how many of them are vaccinated.
City employees that submit proof that they’ve been fully vaccinated by Dec. 15 will be eligible for the $500 payment.
“The city finds it in the interest of public health, safety and welfare and a safe work environment to incentivize employees to become fully vaccinated,” the resolution stated.
Council members Henry Lust and Doris Dawkins approved the resolution Monday. But councilwomen Patricia Wisdom and Nancy Farmer opposed it.
“I just don’t think it’s fair and equitable to allow some people […] to be paid $500 to get something that they can get free,” Wisdom said. “I think that this is a choice that god gives us as human beings.” Farmer agreed, saying she didn’t feel it was right to dangle money in front of city workers to incentivize them to get inoculated.
“To me, it sounds more like a bribe to get people to get it,” she said. “If you want to take it, take it. If you don’t, don’t. Don’t try to twist the hands of the staff to do it because they need the money.”
Powder Springs is not alone in incentivizing staff to take the shot.
Cobb County commissioners last month approved a resolution to offer fully vaccinated county employees up to 80 hours in additional paid administrative leave for COVID-related issues.
City Manager Pam Conner first proposed the idea of the vaccine bonuses during a Sept. 15 work session, recommending the city use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) or remaining Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars for the payments.
Three council members directed Conner to proceed with the incentive program during that meeting.
Wisdom encouraged the city to continue inviting people to community events where the COVID-19 vaccine is offered. She also promoted more local events that educate residents about the vaccine.
“I think that it’s kind of a slow process, but we need to patiently work with people as much as we can,” she said.
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