WINTON – A bright idea earned a Hertford County local government employee a cash reward.

Norma Harrell, employed by the county in the Public Works Department, received a $250 VISA Debit Card in conjunction with being named as the county’s Employee of the Quarter.

Harrell was praised for saving the county $60,000 by coming up with an idea to recycle and sell construction shingles dumped at the Hertford County Landfill to an outside firm. Not only did that idea produce a revenue stream to the county, it also saved on transportation costs and tipping fees to dispose of the old shingles at the regional landfill in Bertie County.

She was honored at a recent meeting of the Hertford County Board of Commissioners.

“We congratulate you; this is what we’re looking to show the public, how the county encourages its employees to contribute more than just manpower,” said Commission Chairman Curtis Freeman.

“This idea saved the county a lot of money. Our employees are the best in my opinion….they work hard and in this particular case work to come up with ideas that benefit all of us,” Freeman added. “How many local government entities can say one of their employees saved $60,000? I thank you Mrs. Harrell for what you have done.”

“This is something I’ve been talking about, to reward our employees who go above and beyond…in this case to save us $60,000,” stated Commissioner Howard Hunter III.

Hunter recommended to Harrell’s department head, Mike Bradley, to submit the documentation and implementation of the shingle recycling program to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. That effort could possibly lead Harrell to be awarded another monetary gift from the state level.

There are five criteria for nominating a worker for Hertford County’s Employee of the Quarter – productivity, cost effectiveness, customer relations, safety and leadership.

Harrell was nominated under the cost efficiency category.

“Norma Harrell was instrumental in setting up and overseeing several recycling programs, including the shingle recycling program which today has saved the county over $60,000,” said Holly Brooks, the county’s Director of Human Resources and Risk Services.