The Cheyenne City Council Finance Committee on Monday voted in favor of "recognition payments" of up to $500 for city employees who worked for the city in Fiscal Year 2014.

Cheyenne Mayor Rick Kaysen says the money would be awarded for employees role in helping the city save $1.2 million between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014.

The committee vote Monday was 3-0 in favor of the proposal.

The mayor says full time employees who worked for the city for that entire period would receive the $500 payments, while those who worked only part time or for part of that period would receive lesser amounts.

City firefighters and employees of the Board of Public Utilities would also eligible for the payments. But only employees who are still working for the city as of December 23, 2014 could receive the money.

Those who have left their city jobs prior to that date wouldn't receive the money. City council members and the mayor would not be eligible.

Kaysen is asking people not to call the payments a "bonus" because he says the city is in recognition for cost-cutting efforts, while he says a bonus "is usually just for being employed".

If approved, Kaysen says the payments would cost the city roughly $320, 000. The full city council will have the final word on the issue.

 

More From KGAB