Commissioners delay bonuses for Madison County workers
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JACKSON, Tenn. — Madison County commissioners passed a new budget on the first day of the fiscal year. The commission voted Tuesday to hold off on bonuses for county employees. “We’re just giving a bonus to people that are, excuse my language, just sort of breathing and saying okay hey you deserve a $750 bonus because you’re sitting in a chair and you’re taking a deep breath,” Commissioner Doug Stephenson said. Last month commissioners approved a $750 bonus for all full-time employees and a $250 bonus for part time workers. Tuesday commissioners agreed to hold on to the money for now and have the personnel committee and department heads meet about the issue. “It just needs to be re-examined is what I’m saying,” Stephenson said. “I‘m not trying to do anything other than to be fair.” Commissioner Luther T. Mercer disagrees and wants to move forward with the bonuses. “I think every person should have got a bonus across the board,” Mercer said. Also during the meeting, commissioners agreed to pay for school resource officers the city of Jackson cut from its budget. Commissioners say the county agreed to pay for eight SROs and the school district will fund the other four. “We need those officers at the schools to help with anything that happens,” Commissioner Gary Tippett said. Commissioners plan to revisit the bonus issue in August. Tuesday commissioners also agreed to set up a committee that will address overcrowding issues at the Madison County Criminal Justice Complex.
