Council Members Split On Employee Service Awards

City of Bourbon employees will wait until this month’s council meeting before learning how much their annual service award will be.

Two motions — one to increase the award and one to keep it the same — failed to carry Nov. 28. 

Ward 1 Alderwoman Margie Brine motioned to raise the award from $200 to $250. Ward 2 Alderwoman Mary Heywood seconded and it carried 2-1, with Ward 2 Alderwoman Sonya Sewald voting “nay.”

City Clerk Cathy Bremer pointed out that due to Ward 1 Alderman John Nelson being absent, the motion could not carry because it lacked majority support.

Mayor Dave Lafferty cannot vote on motions and may only act as a tie breaking vote.

Heywood motioned to keep the amount at $200, but Brine voted “nay.” 

The city has given $200 awards to all employees for several years. There are nine full-time employees and one part-time employee, a housekeeper.

Sewald argued that the city cannot keep “nick and diming” the budget. 

“We need to buckle down and hire Cathy some help,” she said.

Heywood said that increasing the service award would only mean another $500, but Sewald was adamant.

She said that while she appreciated everything the employees do, she couldn’t support taking more money out of the budget.