On Wednesday, the City of Sebastian hosted two workshops to open a public discussion on how federal monies from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) should be spent.

The workshop showed growing support to use some of the funds to give essential City workers a bonus. But unfortunately, there’s been some misinformation going around stating all employees were to receive $5,000 bonuses, which is false.

The truth is, the first proposal was a tiered bonus structure for city employees that could give some workers $1,500, $3,000, and $4,000 based on the level of COVID-19 exposure.

The entire lump sum was $625,000 for employees, about 18.7% of the overall federal funds of the $3,332,790 available. Here’s the breakdown of the initial proposal on how to spend the funds in Sebastian from the American Rescue Plan Act:

• $1,057,500 – A program to connect all properties utilizing septic tanks in the Community Redevelopment Area to the County Sewer System.
• $750,000 – for the improvements necessary to solve drainage issues with the Gardenia Ditch.
• $750,000 – for constructing the con/span open flow design for drainage at Schumann Drive.
• $625,000 – a lump sum to eligible City workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
• $150,290 remainder will be allocated as necessary to cover any excess to the other specified uses.

Mayor Jim Hill said the American Rescue Plan Act allows bonuses to local government employees who had to work during the pandemic.

“A bonus...

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