Lexington County employees who worked through the COVID-19 pandemic will receive “premium pay” as an authorized use of the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF).  

Lexington County has been allocated $58,028,000 from the SLFRF – a funding program from the federal government to aid state and local governments in their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The SLFRF is funded under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Approximately 13% ($7.3 million) of the SLFRF funds have been authorized for premium pay for essential Lexington County employees. Essential employees include any county employee whose work involves regular in-person interactions or regular handling of items handled by others.

The county has divided the premium pay into tiers based on a combination of an employee’s direct risk of exposure to COVID-19, duties and number of pay periods worked between Jan. 27, 2020, and March 21, 2021. The amount of premium pay will range from approximately $1,600 to $5,700.

“On behalf of the Lexington County Council, I would like to thank all county employees for their extraordinary efforts to provide daily service to the people of Lexington County through the uncertainty of the Coronavirus pandemic,” Lexington County Council Chairman Todd Cullum said. “Every employee contributed to the ability of the county to continue to provide uninterrupted services during this time. The premium pay plan for county employees is well deserved and recognizes the faithful and loyal employees that deliver the quality services we have come to expect and appreciate in Lexington County.”

“I would like to thank our County Council, the Administrator and his team for developing and implementing this plan for our employees,” Sheriff Jay Koon said. “This effort will go a long way to thank our men and women who serve our citizens daily and stood strong during this pandemic in the past, present and future.”

Premium pay is one of seven expenditure categories authorized under the SLFRF. The county has opened a survey for Lexington County residents to provide their input on how to prioritize the remaining funds within those expenditure categories. To participate in the survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6NNXXPC. For more information about the SLFRF and the Lexington Recovery Plan, go to the Lexington County website at www.lex-co.sc.gov.