In January, 2003, the Town adopted Ordinance No. 03-29 establishing an employee bonus program for employees of the Town. The Ordinance includes Exhibit “A”, which lists the criteria for the employee bonus program. Bonus awards are performance based and are given out as a one time payment subject to budgeted funds.

The Town's current employee bonus program limits the bonus program to executive staff members only. As amended, pursuant to Florida Statute 215.425(3)(d), the bonus program will be eligible to all employees who meet the performance criteria. In addition, as amended, the criteria more clearly defines specific performance standards by which a bonus will be awarded. An employee must obtain an overall performance rating of Exceptional or Above Average to be eligible for a bonus.

Florida Statute 215.425(3) requires that:

Any policy, ordinance, rule, or resolution designed to implement a bonus scheme must:

(a) Base the award of a bonus on work performance;

(b) Describe the performance standards and evaluation process by which a bonus will be awarded;

(c) Notify all employees of the policy, ordinance, rule, or resolution before the beginning of the evaluation period on which a bonus will be based; and

(d) Consider all employees for the bonus.