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Cass County commissioners adopt 2.4% preliminary COLA for 2026 budgeting
Summary
County department heads recommended using the April‑to‑April CPI figure of 2.4% as the baseline for the 2026 cost‑of‑living adjustment; commissioners adopted the 2.4% placeholder to guide the budget process.
Cass County commissioners on June 2 accepted a department‑heads recommendation to use a 2.4% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) as the starting point for budget planning for 2026.
County finance staff said the long‑standing practice is to begin the budget process with the April‑to‑April Consumer Price Index figure for the region; this year that figure is 2.4%. Commissioners noted the board’s June decision serves as a placeholder in the budget model and does not lock the final COLA when the board adopts the budget in the fall.
County staff told the board department heads used the regional April‑to‑April CPI as the origin of the recommendation; the board discussed the item briefly and the motion to adopt 2.4% as the preliminary figure moved, was seconded and passed by roll call.
Officials said budget hearings in July and subsequent adjustments will determine the final COLA and other budget items before formal adoption later in the year.
