The Holland City Council on June 18 approved a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for all nonunion, year-round, part-time and full-time city employees for the 2026 fiscal year.

Jennifer Orme, human resources director, presented market comparables from 11 West Michigan municipalities showing an average nonunion COLA of 2.85 percent. She noted that the city's police and firefighter unions are receiving a 3% increase under their current three-year contracts and that the Holland Board of Public Works nonunion increase is 3.1%. Orme also cited a WorldatWork government-sector figure of 3.7% for calendar year 2025.

"I would like to ask you tonight for a 3% cost of living wage adjustment for all of our non union, year round part time and full time employees," Orme said.

Councilmember Rowan moved to approve the recommendation; Soule supported the motion. The clerk recorded unanimous yes votes and the motion carried.

Human resources staff said they used external comparables and internal bargaining agreements to set the recommendation and that the adjustment will be implemented in the fiscal-year 2026 payroll schedule approved in the recent budget process.