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City retirees ask Norfolk council for 2% COLA in this year’s budget
Summary
Multiple retired city employees urged the Norfolk City Council to include a 2% cost‑of‑living adjustment for retirees in the upcoming budget, citing fixed incomes and rising costs.
Retired city employees and representatives told the Norfolk City Council they need a cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) and asked the council to include a 2% increase in this year’s budget.
Arthur Eason III, who said he worked for the city for 37½ years and served on the retiree association and retirement board, asked the council to consider the requested 2% COLA for all retirees. Leslie Garrett, a former zoning enforcement coordinator and long‑time city employee, described her current retirement income of about $33,000 and recounted medical expenses and ongoing housing costs; she told councilmembers she would “gladly take a 2% COLA increase.” Steve Taylor, a retired police officer, said retirees have received only limited permanent COLA adjustments since retirement and urged the city to offer financial assistance.
Speakers provided the council with a COLA request packet signed by leaders of the city retirees association, the retired firefighters association and FOP Lodge 3 and cited comparative examples from other localities. Councilmembers did not take immediate action but received the request and the packet for budget consideration.
Why it matters: Speakers said modest COLA increases help retirees keep up with inflation and maintain housing and health stability; the request directly relates to the city’s upcoming budget deliberations.
Ending: Retiree representatives said they will follow up with council and staff as the budget process continues.
