Committee recommends state COLA for executive officials and judges; will send letter to Executive Appropriations Committee

Members of the committee voted unanimously to recommend that executive branch elected officials and state judges receive the same cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) as other state employees and to transmit that recommendation in writing to the Legislature's Executive Appropriations Committee, which is scheduled to meet Nov. 18.

The recommendation for parity with the state employee COLA was approved by voice vote after a motion taken as coming from David and seconded by Jeff. The committee later approved the parallel recommendation for the judiciary; both motions were recorded as passing unanimously.

The committee discussed state revenue uncertainty, retirement contribution pressures and judicial staffing as context for the recommendation. A member reported speaking with Dan Anderson of the Utah Retirement System (URS), saying URS officials expressed concern about rising employer contribution levels following several years of elevated inflation and wage growth. A committee member characterized the economic outlook reports the panel receives from analysts as unclear, saying "her crystal ball was cloudy," and the group said they were not projecting a large revenue increase for the coming year.

Several members raised concerns about judicial workloads and recruitment. The committee agreed to append a note to its judiciary recommendation noting that the shortage of judges is affecting recruitment and retention and could justify future examination of judicial staffing levels; the note was described as a footnote or prologue to the formal COLA recommendation rather than part of the compensation rate itself.

Judge Connors, who spoke during the discussion, praised the state's judicial selection process and urged maintaining competitive compensation. "I believe that our executive officials, probably for political reasons, are underpaid," Connors said during debate, while also supporting the committee's decision to recommend the customary COLA.

Committee staff and members set an internal schedule for the report ahead of the Executive Appropriations Committee: an initial draft to be circulated by Nov. 4, a final draft the week of Nov. 11, and a target of Nov. 14 to distribute the signed letter to necessary parties. Members also discussed committee membership turnover: three terms are due to expire next June, and staff said they will contact the appointing authorities.

The meeting also approved routine items including minutes and adjournment. The committee said it will submit the written recommendations rather than appear in person, consistent with the Legislature's direction that year to accept written reports and be available for comment.

The committee's decisions will be forwarded to the Executive Appropriations Committee for consideration of the recommendations during that body's November session.