Santa Claus is indeed coming to town—to visit Town employees specifically.

Presents in the form of bonuses will be delivered by the Jolly Old Elf to those who work for the Town of Fuquay-Varina at the annual employees Christmas luncheon Dec. 21.

The town board approved the bonuses last week, acting on a recommendation from Town Manager Andy Hedrick. The amount of each bonus will equal three percent of the employee’s annual salary.

Hedrick reminded the board that employees received no salary increases in the current budget year because of the recession and the decrease in town revenues. He indicated at the time the budget was in development that he hoped revenues might be such that some kind of monetary reward would be possible for employees by mid-year.

He said the town budgeted very conservatively for the current year and figures at the end of the first quarter were somewhat ahead of projections, leading him to see the bonuses as feasible.

Hedrick said the financial impact on the general fund will not exceed $225,000. In the water and sewer fund the impact will not exceed $25,000, he said.

The manager said he recommended bonuses over a salary increase because a salary change would be carried forward into coming years while a bonus is a one-time payment.

Commissioner Cindy Sheldon said jokingly, “I trust you did not include the commissioners in that recommendation.” Hedrick said he did not. The manager was included in the bonus plan, however, according to the finance department.