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Stevens County certifies 2.51% levy; board approves 3% nonunion cost-of-living adjustment
Summary
The Stevens County Board of Commissioners certified a 2.51% levy, approved a 3% cost-of-living increase for nonunion staff and adopted related elected-official salary resolutions; commissioners also discussed implementation details of the new state-paid family and medical leave program.
The Stevens County Board of Commissioners voted to certify a 2.51% levy, resulting in a county levy of $9,239,820, and approved a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for nonunion employees.
The levy certification and the COLA were presented together during the board’s budget and compensation discussion. The board voted to carry the levy certification and then approved a package of salary resolutions for elected officials and nonunion supervisory and staff positions reflecting the 3% COLA and a $25/$50 contribution toward single/family coverage for employees enrolled in county health insurance.
County staff said the 3% COLA reflects budgeted amounts and the county’s longstanding practice of aligning nonunion increases with negotiated settlements for bargaining units. Commissioners discussed the risk of wage compression if increases were not applied consistently across employee groups.
The board also discussed the new state paid family and medical leave (paid FML) program and how the county plans to handle the premium. Staff said current guidance allows the premium to be split 50/50 between employer and employee and that the county intends to withhold the employee share and split the premium 50/50 starting in 2026, subject to final rulemaking. Staff described the paid FML benefit as a state program that will likely replace some short-term disability market offerings and said the county is treating the premium like other statutory withholdings until rules are finalized.
Commissioners asked about details including whether elected officials are covered and whether employees can opt out. Staff said elected officials are currently expected to qualify for the paid FML benefit under the statute and that employees cannot waive the premium withholding if the statute requires collection. The county estimates premium withholdings will be modest (staff cited rough examples on the order of single-digit dollars per pay period under a 50/50 split for average wages) but said actual numbers depend on the state’s final formula.
Why it matters: The levy sets county property tax revenue for the coming year and the COLA affects payroll costs across county departments. The paid FML program adds a new ongoing employer cost and administrative requirement; the board discussed budgeting and the potential need to adjust wage schedules if bargaining settlements differ.
Votes and next steps: The board certified the levy at 2.51% and approved the set of elected-official salary resolutions and nonunion wage adjustments. Staff will implement the 3% COLA effective Jan. 1 and begin remitting required wage reports and premium withholdings per the state timeline. The board indicated it may revisit the nonunion adjustments if bargaining units settle at a materially different rate.
Clarifying details: The certified levy percentage (2.51%) and resulting levy ($9,239,820) were stated on the record. The COLA decision was presented as a 3% increase for nonunion staff; staff recommended adding $25 toward single coverage and $50 toward family coverage for employees who enroll in county insurance. Paid FML details remain subject to final state rulemaking and statute interpretation.
