City employees get a boost from Federal A.R.P. funds

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - The City of Cheyenne has received a little over $12 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury from the American Rescue Plan (ARP).

“The governing body and the Mayor recognize how valuable our employees are... We have this opportunity right now and they would like to recognize the hard work of all of our staff,” said Robin Lockman, City Treasurer for the City of Cheyenne.

Municipalities are now allowed to use some ARP funds to provide a one-time bonus for municipal employees. This will cover all 700 employees, essential and nonessential, full and part-time.

Overall, the funds total about $2.8 million for all employees, of which $2.5 million are directly from ARP funds.

City employees haven’t received a salary increase for three years and took a pay cut last year.

“This is trying to keep their heads above water, financially, so to speak. And help them out because it’s really hard to find and hire new employees right now with the job market like it,” said Lockman.

Like many other departments, the city is facing a labor shortage and is having problems attracting seasonal workers without competitive wages.