Committee backs FY26 compensation package, recommends collective bargaining agreements to full council

The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee on [date not specified] reviewed the county executive’s FY26 compensation and benefits recommendations — covering general wage adjustments (GWAs), service increments, retirement contributions and group insurance funding — and voted unanimously to recommend the county government collective bargaining agreements to the full County Council.

Committee staff summarized the executive’s recommended FY26 tax‑supported operating budget for compensation at approximately $6,647,000,000 across county‑funded agencies and said employee compensation (salaries plus benefits) comprises roughly 72% of tax‑supported agency expenditures. OMB staff said the executive recommends higher GWAs for certain public safety units (a 4.85% GWA for FOP members) and smaller GWAs for other represented and non‑represented groups (3.25% for IFF; 3% for McGeo non‑represented employees). The executive also recommends 3.5% service increments for eligible employees not at top of grade.

Staff described other FY26 cost drivers: an estimated…