Computer Loan Offer to City Staff Expanded

The city will provide up to $18,500 in loans for part-time employees who wish to buy home computers, the City Council decided Monday.

In February, the council approved loans for full-time employees of up to $2,500 for computer purchases. Since then, 19 full-time employees have bought computers through the program.

Officials said the program has been popular and boosted morale, and so they decided to expand the offer to part-time, permanent employees who have worked for the city for at least one year.

Part-time workers can apply for loans of up to $1,250 each, to be paid back through payroll deductions during one year. About 15 part-time employees are eligible for the program, officials said.