Lawrence County salary board approves 3% COLA for nonunion staff, raises department-head base to $65,000 and adopts hiring-rate change for public safety

The Lawrence County Salary Board on Jan. 6 approved a series of resolutions that apply a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for nonunion and management employees across county offices effective Jan. 1, 2025, set a $65,000 base rate for many department-head positions, and approved a change to starting wages for future public-safety hires intended to improve recruitment and retention.

Board action came during the board’s annual meeting, which was livestreamed and recorded. The board voted unanimously on the measures after brief presentations by affected elected officials and department directors.

Why it matters: The 3% COLA affects nonunion and management staff across the county’s elected offices and departments and takes effect Jan. 1, 2025. Separately, setting a uniform $65,000 base for department heads is intended to create consistency in hiring and pay scales across county government. The new public-safety hiring rule is targeted at positions with elevated turnover where Lawrence County competes with neighboring counties for staff.

What the board approved

- Countywide 3% COLA: The board approved a resolution applying a 3% COLA effective Jan. 1, 2025, for full- and part-time nonunion and management employees (and solicitors) in a long list of offices and departments including the courts, adult and juvenile probation, district justice offices, domestic relations, law library, county controller’s office, coroner, district attorney, prothonotary and clerk of courts, register and recorder, sheriff’s office, treasurer, and the set of departments that report to the commissioners. Union employees will continue to be paid under the terms of their collective-bargaining agreements.

- Department-head base rate: The board set the base rate (starting salary) for many department-head positions at $65,000 per year. The resolutions applying that base rate cover the…