Town Considering Christmas Bonuses

Town of Mount Pleasant employees may get a little extra cash this year if town administrators find enough money and town councilmen vote to approve employee bonuses.

If approved, the raises will the first such payments since 2010, according to records. Town administrators are examining the budget, looking for the funds, following a request from Mayor Billy Swails last month.

Town employees received a $1,000 bonus in 2010, but this year's amount has not yet been determined, according to Town Administrator Eric DeMoura.

If the funds are available, the town council will take up the proposal at its committee meetings on Dec. 3 and then take a final vote on Dec. 11.

If approved, the bonus would be uplifting news for town employees, who like many other government and private sector workers, have endured sour economic times without consistent raises or bonuses since 2008.

Here's a quick look at raises and bonuses for the town:

• No cost-of-living increase for four years from 2008 until July 2012;
• Three percent cost-of-living raises were awarded in July 2012;
• Select town employees received a 3 percent merit raise in 2011, but the raises were not applicable in 2012 or in 2009 and 2010;
• Christmas bonuses began in 2007 at $250 per employee, were increased to $400 in 2009 and were increased to $1,000 in 2010.