TIFTON — Tifton city council is considering the implementation of a one-time incentive for their employees.

Council members discussed the possibility of applying this incentive using ARPA funds at their Dec. 4 workshop meeting, as a way of helping out city employees affected by inflation.

City manager Emily Beeman, who submitted the request for the incentive, explained that the city had a line item, intended for use in addressing the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on city employees, totaling $385,000.

She proposed that half of this money be provided to city employees, distributed according to the amount of time each worker has been with the city.

Beeman stressed that the funds from the line item would have to be committed regardless by the end of 2024, or they would be required to send the money back.

City council members elected to discuss the item further at their next meeting.