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City budget proposes 3% COLA, merit program to continue and targeted 5% market boosts for public safety and public works
Summary
City staff presented a budget that includes a proposed 3% cost-of-living increase for all employees, continuation of a merit pool and targeted 5% market adjustments for public safety and public works servicemen; council discussed funding cushion and next steps before adoption.
City staff presented a proposed fiscal 2026 budget that would include a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for all employees, continuation of a merit program and targeted market adjustments for some job classes. The proposal also includes a market adjustment of 5% targeted to public safety and public-works servicemen, producing a total budgeted salary cost increase that staff described as equivalent to 9.5% of total payroll.
Why it matters: Council members pressed staff for details because recurring payroll increases affect long-term fund balance and borrowing capacity. Staff said the 9.5% figure is a planning envelope that combines a 3% COLA for everyone, a merit pool paid by evaluation…
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