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Board staff secure non-appropriated operating authority; merit increases implemented
Summary
Board staff reported the agency obtained Office of Financial Management approval for increased non-appropriated expenditure authority and can implement previously adopted salary actions, including a 2% merit increase for certain positions and executive director salary adjustments.
Board staff told trustees on Sept. 24 that the agency secured Office of Financial Management approval to increase non-appropriated expenditure authority, allowing implementation of previously adopted staffing and salary items, including 2% merit increases and funding for trustee and staff education.
Karen (presenter) explained the operating expense fund is non-appropriated under RCW language cited in the presentation (transcript: "RCW 41 26 7 32"). Because the fund is not part of the legislative budget appropriation process, the agency's expenditure authority is reviewed by the Office of Financial Management and subject to the allotment process. Karen said OFM collaboration allowed staff to begin implementing the board's July salary decisions earlier than a legislative cycle would permit.
Why it matters: The change in spending-authority timing allowed earlier implementation of board-adopted salary steps, provided funding certainty for expanded trustee and staff education, and set a timeline for a December-aligned executive-director performance evaluation and potential salary action in July 2026.
Next steps and process
Karen told trustees a salary-survey contract will be issued for 2026 data collection, performance evaluations will be completed by January, and the timing of the executive director evaluation will shift so board-set salaries align. The financial audit is under way with the State Auditor's office; staff said they do not expect the audit to delay the December meeting.
