Public employees, union representatives urge higher pay, just-cause and protections during Boulder County budget hearing

Boulder County commissioners heard more than two hours of public testimony on Oct. 14 during a public hearing on the county’s recommended 2026 budget, with scores of county employees and union representatives calling on the board to prioritize staff wages, bargaining in good faith and protections for laid-off and seasonal workers.

Commissioners opened the hearing by summarizing the budget context: a projected structural deficit in the general fund and a decision that about 60 vacant positions would not be filled in 2026; staff said 31 current county employees would be laid off as part of the proposed reductions. Emily Beam, the county budget officer, said the recommended budget includes a 4.3% staff compensation increase and a policy that the county minimum annual salary for county employees would rise to $52,000 in 2026. Commissioners also said their negotiating team is authorized to offer an average 4.5% compensation increase to the Boulder…