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Sonoma County supervisors weigh restoring retiree COLA as retirees, unions press urgency
Summary
After decades without an automatic cost‑of‑living adjustment, Sonoma County officials and the Sonoma County Employees’ Retirement Association presented options and legal questions for restoring a retiree COLA; retirees urged immediate relief during public comment.
Dozens of retirees and union leaders urged Sonoma County supervisors Wednesday to restore a cost‑of‑living adjustment for retired county employees, while county staff and the county retirement system presented cost scenarios and legal questions for the board to consider.
The Board of Supervisors did not vote on a COLA but asked staff to pursue legal analysis, potential legislative fixes and funding options so the board can decide whether and how to move forward.
Retirees packed the board room during public comment, saying inflation and rising health care costs have eroded retirement incomes. “If the board goes forward with cutting the $500 a month that I get right now … it’s gonna be devastating,” said Bill Rabodka, a retired county employee and member of SCARE, the Sonoma County Association of Retired Employees.
Labor unions and retiree groups framed the…
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