Commissioners approve 2.5% elected-official pay increase, several HR changes and COLA for FY26
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The Flathead County Board approved Resolution 2637 to increase elected official base pay by 2.5% for FY26, added and adjusted several positions, approved a COLA matching the elected-official increase, and authorized a Cigna LifeSource agreement for transplant coverage.
Flathead County commissioners adopted Resolution 2637 to raise the elected official base salary by 2.5 percent effective with the payroll that contains July 1, fiscal year 2026.
The board's compensation committee recommended the increase earlier in the week and the motion to adopt Resolution 2637 passed by unanimous voice vote.
The board also approved several HR transmittals tied to department-side budget changes effective July 1: creation of a radio communications administrator position in 9-1-1 (to ensure two-person tower work), conversion of a tax agent in the sheriff's office from 0.4 FTE to full-time, adjustments to seasonal equipment operator/truck driver FTEs in Solid Waste, and a 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) applied to multiple pay matrices (standard pay matrix, county attorneys, EMS instructors and elected judge matrix). Commissioners noted union contracts contain language that governs increases during active contract terms.
Separately, the board authorized signature of a Cigna LifeSource distributor payer access agreement related to organ transplant coverage in the county health plan; commissioners approved signature so staff can finalize costs for a pending situation.
All motions on these items carried by unanimous voice votes recorded in the meeting.