By Casey Castle The Winchester Sun

Some city employees finally got a longevity increase thanks to a measure approved by the Winchester Board of Commissioners Tuesday night.

The city met in special session Tuesday after rescheduling its January meetings last month.

The approved order moves the cap for employees serving for longer than 25 years, giving each pay grade a wider range of pay. This allows employees who had already reached the maximum salary to continue to get time-in-service bumps for working more than 25 years.

Their only opportunity for an increase is if theres a budgeted across-the-board raise, said J.R. Wilhite, interim city manager. There are just a handful of employees that this would impact, so its not a significant cost.

Wilhite said the measure would immediately affect about five employees and cost the city less than $3,000.

Its continuing the same step increases that are available for them in their first 25 years of service, he said. You certainly want to do what you can to encourage folks who have good experience to stay working.

In other business, the board also:

Approved a measure reclassifying property at 134 S. Maple St. and 103 W. Hickman St. from residential to downtown business.

Approved orders appointing Nick Bailey to the Winchester Tree Board, accepting the resignation of Doug Beltzner from the same board and appointing Drew Graham to finish Beltzners term.

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Winchester approves longevity bonuses