Norfolk County commissioners to consider extending 3% cost-of-living increase to nonunion registry staff

Norfolk County commissioners heard Tuesday that department heads will present requests for the FY2026 first supplemental budget next week, and a registry official asked the commission to extend a 3% cost-of-living allowance to nonunion registry employees. The request, made on behalf of the registry, said implementing the 3% allowance for the registry’s nonunion staff would cost $33,097.92. Director Phil Poehling told commissioners that this meeting was an informational step in the supplemental process and that “No votes are expected this week.” The registry speaker said the union portion of registry staff had already been settled and funded, and asked for parity for the remaining nonunion employees. Commissioners and staff discussed timing: one union bargaining unit remains in arbitration, and commissioners indicated they plan to act on outstanding supplemental items next week as part of the formal supplemental and transfer process. County staff said the supplemental process will aggregate department requests and return them to the commission for formal consideration. Commissioners did not take a vote on the registry request during the meeting; staff indicated supplemental transfers and any formal votes will occur as part of next week’s agenda. Why it matters: the request is budgetary and would increase personnel costs paid from the county operating budget; commissioners signaled an intention to address parity but indicated one small bargaining unit still in arbitration affects timing, which commissioners said was a scheduling issue rather than a policy decision. Details: the registry speaker provided the exact cost the commission was told to expect ($33,097.92) and urged commissioners to treat registry employees the same as other county staff who received a 3% allowance. Commissioner discussion noted the county-wide approach to labor settlements and the practical need to coordinate action around outstanding arbitration. No formal motions or transfers were made at the meeting. Looking ahead: Director Poehling said he will summarize collective supplemental requests and bring them back to the commissioners for formal consideration next week.