SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Christmas will come a few days early for city employees following the Monday night approval of a one-time, cost-of-living salary adjustment for all full-time employees.

“We haven’t been able to do this for our employees for a couple of years, but I think if we can see a way within our budget to make it happen, it will go a long way with the employees,” said Mayor Pro Tem Mike McMillan.

The measure, approved unanimously during Monday’s regular City Council meeting, will give all 26 full-time employees employed at least one year with the city a one-time payment of $500. The remaining four full-time employees were hired only one month ago to implement the police department’s on-site dispatch services and will receive $150 each.

City Clerk Mary Lynn Williams pegged the total cost of the gesture at $16,136.95.

City Attorney David Conner was careful to note the increase is a one-time payment akin more to a bonus than a pay bump because it will not in any way affect the employees’ base salaries.

Although full-time city employees have continued receiving annual 2.5 percent anniversary pay raises throughout the national economic recession, COLA adjustments have not been possible since a similar payment was made in 2007, Williams said.

“I feel comfortable we can do this, based on what we wound up with at the end of last year,” said Mayor Joe Bonner, noting conservative operating budget projections yielded a larger-than-expected carryover when fiscal year 2010 closed Sept. 30.

The six-member council also agreed unanimously that the checks should be cut and distributed on or before Dec. 22.