VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Virginia Beach City Council approved an ordinance Tuesday evening that grants a one-time payment for first responders and eligible employees including Waste Management.
On August 18, 2020, the City Council authorized hazard pay to employees that are eligible for such pay through the CARES Act of 2020.
These employees were primarily within public safety departments, but also included human services and city employees within the health department.
The positions that qualify for hazard pay through the CARES Act were employees who perform services to mitigate or respond to the COVID- 19 public health emergency and employees who work directly with patients to provide medical services, administer federal and state benefits, or provide protective services.
While a portion of the city's workforce was eligible to receive hazard pay, other employees did not qualify.
Emergency responders were not included in the initial round of hazard pay.
On Tuesday, the city council voted 10-1 for a one- time payment emergency responders and city employees to recognize the hard work of the staff throughout the pandemic.
The city voted to transfer necessary funds from salary and vacancy savings within the operating budget.
In order to receive the payment, employees must have worked for the city full-time from March through June and still currently employed by city.
Full-time employees who make over $ 100,000, part-time employees, and those who provide contracted services are not eligible for the payment.
Employees that have been identified as emergency responders and omitted from the previous hazard pay allocation will receive $ 1,500, while all other full-time city employees will receive $250.
