FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward County Mayor Steve Geller announced on Wednesday that he will not be implementing an employees’ COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Instead, he said, there will be a $500 bonus during a 60-day period for those who provide proof of vaccination.
Geller said unvaccinated employees, both those who are union members and non-union members, will have to pay a biweekly surcharge of $20 to pay for the additional cost of health insurance and submit to weekly COVID testing after the 60 days.
“We don’t know the percentage of employees that are vaccinated,” Geller said, adding the Broward County administrator will enforce the program affecting about 6,800 employees, excluding the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Property Appraiser’s Office, the Supervisor of Elections, the Clerk of Courts and other county constitutional officers.
Geller said the dates will be announced later, but he believes the incentive program’s 60 day period for Broward County employees will start sometime at the end of the month or on Oct. 1st.
“We are trying our best to encourage voluntary compliance,” Geller said adding he is using coronavirus pandemic-related federal aid to cover the cost of the incentive program.
Geller also said there is a universal indoor face mask mandate at the Broward County government center. He said the best way for Broward employees to protect their community is by wearing face masks and getting the vaccine.
To help reduce hospitalizations, Geller said he is also encouraging everyone to consider getting free monoclonal antibody therapy after testing positive for the coronavirus.
The therapy is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the CB Smith Park, at 900 N. Flamingo Rd., in Pembroke Pines. For more information, call 954-357-5170 or visit this page.