The Monroe County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 14 voted to send a letter to the Monroe County Council that recommends a 3% salary increase for county employees for the 2026 budget, excluding positions with statutorily mandated salaries.

Commissioner Thomas explained the board’s statutory role in providing comment on Form 144 salary estimates: “Each year we are presented with, form 1 44 as a budget estimate of proposed salaries and wages. Our role in this process by state statute is to provide a recommendation to Monroe County Council for consideration prior to setting the salaries and the budget for 2026.” Thomas said the consumer price index shows roughly a 3% increase over the past year and that from 2021 to 2024 there was a period of higher inflation; she characterized the recommendation as an attempt to help the county remain competitive with staffing retention.

“From 2021 to 2024, there was a period of very high inflation and cost of living increases...we're still about 5 percentage points behind where we should be,” Thomas said. The board said it will transmit the signed letter to council members by email.

Why it matters: the commissioners’ recommendation is advisory; County Council sets final salaries and the budget. Commissioners emphasized staff retention and thanked county employees for their work.