Hazard pay on the way for city workers

Walhalla’s 69 municipal workers can look forward to something extra in their paychecks. The city council last night agreed to add $100 dollars a week for up to eight weeks as hazard pay for the employees who must balance social distancing with members of the public while carrying out their duties. The vote was 4-3. The dissent reflected the view of some council members that the hazard pay should hinge on the employees spending the money at city businesses, some of whom are suffering as the result of COVID-19 restrictions. But Mayor Danny Edwards, who voted with the majority, was adamant that the city not require where its city workers spend their pay. The mayor last night sought to separate the issues of hazard pay and help for city businesses, saying the businesses have a direct link to city financial assistance thru a grant program to which city council last night funneled an additional $12 thousand—the proceeds of the sale of used city vehicles.