GF County sticks with pandemic pay plan

The Grand Forks County Commission on Tuesday opted not to expand the pool of employees eligible for extra pay for work during the COVID pandemic.

Earlier this year the board agreed to tap federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to the tune of $2,000 dollars per county worker who were unable to work from home and had regular contact with the public.

Sheriff Andy Schneider urged the commission to add six support staff in his office into the mix – saying they should have been eligible for the pay plan.

Commissioner Tom Falck says he sees merit to the request but there are legal guidelines to follow for who qualifies under the ARPA rules.

The board rejected a motion to include the six employees on a 3 to 2 vote after Chair Cynthia Pic called for the question.

In emotional comments Pic says the county has done the best it can for its employees in terms and salaries and benefits but it was time to move on.