Commissioners OK Stipends For Employees
Roosevelt County’s employees will receive a one-time stipend from federal CARES funds after a decision by Roosevelt County commissioners on Tuesday, March 2.
Commissioners unanimously approved giving each full-time employee a $1,000 stipend and halftime employees a $500 stipend. Commissioners noted that individuals have dealt with added expenses such as day care during the COVID pandemic.
Commissioner Gordon Oelkers said the school provided a similar stipend. Several counties in the state have also provided a stipend through CARES funding.
Resident Bill Juve argued against giving stipends to only county employees.
“It just doesn’t affect the county employees,” Juve said. “Why shouldn’t everybody in the county be eligible for some kind of relief?”
Juve mentioned a decrease in taxes for the year.
Commissioners said the CARES funds might allow the county to not have to raise taxes in the next year or two.
“This is a one-time shot in the arm,” Oelkers said of the stipend.
In other business during the meeting, commissioners approved Scott Savelkoul to the fair board. Savelkoul resides between Culbertson and Bainville.
Commissioners approved the attorney office’s request for a new copier which costs $6,379.
Commissioners approved a request to purchase web tax service for the treasurer’s office. The system will allow residents to see how much tax figures and be able to pay their bills online.
