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County Manager Recommends 2.5% COLA; Commissioners Ask for Higher Options and Lapse-Salary Analysis
Summary
County staff recommended a 2.5% COLA for FY26, an increase the manager said would total about $4.2 million and be funded largely by salary-savings from vacancies; commissioners requested scenario analyses for higher raises and alternative funding sources.
County budget staff recommended a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for county employees in FY26, estimated at approximately $4.2 million and primarily funded by salary savings tied to current vacancies.
"A 2 and a half percent cost of living adjustment is recommended for the fiscal year 2026, totaling approximately 4,200,000," the manager's presentation stated. Commissioners pressed for alternatives, with several urging consideration of a 4% COLA. One commissioner told staff they "would at least look at doing 4%" in recognition of rising costs and retention concerns.
Officials discussed how to fund higher increases. Staff cited lapsed-salary (vacancy) savings and available fund balance as potential sources. During the meeting staff reported FY24 lapsed salaries of $9,694,796 and noted FY25 salary lapse projections have historically been several million dollars annually. Commissioners asked for detailed scenarios that would show the cost of 3% and 4% COLA, the impact on the county's insurance and benefits funding, and the effect on fund balance and capital transfers.
Other personnel incentives in the recommended budget included targeted pay increases for detention-center officers and entry-level sheriff’s deputies, and a proposed increase to the tuition-assistance reimbursement cap (to $2,500 for undergraduates and $1,500 for graduate study) within the same $50,000 allocation that historically saw low uptake (average annual use ~13 employees). Staff agreed to return with regional comparator data for COLA, cost estimates for alternate percentages, and options to address reimbursement fronting for employees who cannot pay tuition upfront and then wait for reimbursement.
No final change to the COLA or tuition program was made at the meeting; staff will produce the requested scenarios for the board’s next work session.
