Public safety workers in both Van Buren Township and the City of Wayne will be awarded payroll reimbursements funded through the federal Cornoavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
In the City of Wayne, officials said that each of the 37 police and fire personnel who worked during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic would receive a maximum of $1,000.
Whitmer signed Public Act 123 of 2020 in July, which appropriated $200 million for the Public Safety and Public Health Payroll Reimburse-ment Program.
“We've now been reimbursed from the state in receiving $572,336 to help offset the cost of payroll and fringe expenditures for front-line workers who have performed hazardous duty and experienced physical hardship related to COVID-19,” said Van Buren Township Director of Public Safety Greg Laurain. “I want to thank our staff for all their hard work as we continue to keep our community safe during the pandemic. We're One-Department One-Team that is here to help during any time of need.”
Wayne Mayor John Rhaesa said in a Facebook post, “It was an honor and privilege to sign letters of understanding/agreement after the council unanimously approved hazard pay being provided through the Michigan Department of Treasury through the Cares Act First Responder Hazard Pay grant programs for the 37 Wayne Police and Fire Personnel who worked during the peak of COVID-19.
Rhaesa also thanked city personnel for working with him on pursuing the opportunity for the hazard pay.
“We want to thank our representatives for helping us make this a priority and a reality by creating a program that made the hazard pay possible,” he added.
