The City Council is expected to pull money from its rainy day fund for a holiday bonus for city employees, and it appears that those on the lower end of the scale may get more.

Chip Henderson, chairman of the finance committee, recommended taking out $3.6 million in order to give $1,000 bonuses to all fulltime and parttime employees.

Councilman Dennis Clark said he favored a tiered plan, saying those making less than $21.63 per hour (under $45,000 a year), should get the lion's share of the money.

He recommended that those under $45,000 get $1,000, while those between $45,000 and $120,000 receive $750. For those making over $120,000, it would be zero.

Councilman Clark said those in the latter group "already got a bunch of money" when the council in the current budget approved a three percent cost of living increase. He said the city judge, Sherry Paty, got $9,000 alone. He said, "She didn't need that money."

Councilman Henderson said he had wanted to include all employees, saying, "I don't want to make those at the top feel slighted."

Officials said the real lion's share will apparently be going to the federal government with the bonuses taxed at 40 percent. A $1,000 bonus would slim down to $600, and a $750 payment to $450.

The total amount going to the federal government under the bonus program would be $1.4 million.

Councilwoman Marvene Noel asked Chairman Henderson, "Why now? - Especially when employees come before us all the time asking for more money. Why - when you penny pinched  the budget like you did. You didn't want $1.93 in order for us to have the things we have."

Councilman Henderson was among four council members who voted against a tax increase to $1.93 per $100 of assessed valuation.

Councilwoman Noel said, "You got to be related to Stevie Wonder to not see the real deal on this. All you wanted to do is take and not give."

Councilman Henderson said he was responding to lower paid city employees who said the three percent increase was not enough in a time of inflationary pressures.

He said the city had previously given a similar holiday bonus.

The council will continue the bonus discussion on Oct. 6.