About 50 Austell city employees will receive hazard pay, going back to March 24.

That is when Mayor Ollie Clemons Jr. declared a state of emergency for the city because of the coronavirus pandemic.

During an online meeting by Zoom, this 5-0 decision was made on May 4 by the Austell City Council with Councilwoman Sandra Leverette absent.

Clemons said certain fire, police, public works and community affairs employees will receive $2.50 more per hour in addition to their present salary.

That funding will come from contingency, then from reserves if contingency becomes depleted, Clemons explained.

An estimated 48 employees will be included, but “this number could fluctuate slightly depending on circumstances,” according to City Clerk Elizabeth Young in an email to the AJC.

Clemons said, “Front-line employees, answering emergency calls, would be at risk of the greater exposure” and would receive the hazard pay but not those employees who are at home teleworking.

Also, he said parks employees would not receive hazard pay since they ride separately and are on staggered shifts to complete their work.

Information: Austellga.gov/AgendasAndMinutes.aspx

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