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Broadwater County approves 2.5% COLA for employees; county will cover health‑insurance increase
Summary
The commission voted to give county employees a 2.5 percent cost‑of‑living increase and directed the county to absorb the recent health‑insurance premium rise for the coming year.
Broadwater County commissioners voted unanimously on May 14 to grant county employees a 2.5 percent cost‑of‑living adjustment for fiscal year 2026 and to pay the county's share of a recent increase in employee health‑insurance premiums.
Commissioners had considered alternatives after the county trust raised premiums by about $74 per month. The compensation board had recommended a 3.5 percent COLA; commissioners discussed a 2 percent option that would have left employees to pay the premium increase. After reviewing payroll impacts, commissioners opted for a compromise: 2.5 percent COLA and county coverage of the insurance premium change for the coming year.
Finance officer Debbie Kelley explained timing for the premium change: "Typically, the insurance trust board ... meet and approve that to be effective with our April paychecks," and noted the county had been carrying the increased premium through the end of the current fiscal year.
The motion to adopt the 2.5 percent increase and cover the insurance rise passed by voice vote. No supplemental revenue was approved; commissioners said the decision will draw on cash balance and be revisited in future budgets.
Why it matters: The measure affects every county employee's take‑home pay and benefits costs for the coming year and will be reflected in department budgets. Commissioners noted the county will monitor future premium trends and budgetary impacts.
