CORUNNA: Chosen officials in Michigan Regency gave themselves a $ 65,000 bonus with federal relief money related to Covid-19 pandemic.
The money, described as “payment of hazards,” including $ 25,000 for Jeremy Root, Chair of the Board of Commissioners of Shiawassee Regency.
Most of the rural areas, between Lansing and Flint, have a population of 68,000.
Commissioner – All Republicans – last week chose to provide more than $ 500,000 to dozens of county employees.
It ranges from $ 25,000 for administrators to $ 2,000 for cleanliness staff.
All recipients get at least $ 1,000.
In addition to root, Commissioner John Ploughman and Brandon marked each receiving $ 10,000, and four commissioners each received $ 5,000.
Most commissioners paid $ 10,000 a year for their part-time work, plus allowances for meetings.
“I think I got it,” said Commissioner Cindy Garber about bonuses.
“I work very hard on this job.
I’m here personally all this year.” Commissioner Marlene Webster said he was “shy” when money appeared in his bank account and did not know he had chosen to appreciate himself.
“I give money back,” Webster told Wilx-TV.
“I think one commissioner gives it to a non-profit organization so that the action shows that we really don’t know this money comes to us.” A message that is looking for comments from the root is not immediately returned Thursday.
Meanwhile, Nichole Ruggiero from Owosso filed a lawsuit to try to cancel some bonuses, claiming Commissioners violated Michigan’s open meeting law when they went to a closed session to discuss the money, The Argus-Press reported.
“This board vanity is weird,” Ruggiero said.
Payment of the dangers extended to other selected regional officials, including Sheriff Brian Begole, who received $ 25,000, and the Prosecutor of Scott Koerner, who received $ 12,500.
Administrator County, Brian Boggs, who received $ 25,000, said the focus on the commissioners houses efforts to help regional workers.
“That is for the benefit of employees,” he said about bonuses, “and maybe we should not pursue other ideas like this to get additional funds if this will be accepted.” Garber said a large payment for ROOT was justified because he “bear the burden of all emergency orders.” Stephan Currie, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of the country, or Mac, said the group worked with the district on how to issue cash related to the federal virus.
“We do not know the existence of other countries who consider payments to selected officials, and Mac has not provided guidance or suggestions to do so.
…
decision, however, finally resting with the district commissioners in each region,” said Currie.
Mlive.com.