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Assembly reconsiders COLA exclusions but fails to change resolution; previously enacted COLA remains in effect
Summary
After hours of debate and a motion to reconsider, the Assembly voted down a proposed amendment to limit future cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) exclusions for certain non-represented employees. The earlier COLA resolution (No. 3,100) remains in effect; Assembly directed HR to do a comprehensive review.
The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly reopened debate on June 16 about cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for borough employees, then voted to leave the previously adopted COLA resolution in place after a contentious reconsideration and final vote.
Assemblymember Arntzen moved to reconsider the Assemblyvote on a previously adopted resolution that would have excluded certain employees from future FY26-28 COLA adjustments; the motion to reconsider passed. After extended discussion about pay steps, pay-grade structure and long-term affordability, the Assembly voted on adopting a revised exclusion resolution and that motion failed. Because the Assembly did not adopt a replacement, the original Resolution 3,100 remains in effect and non-represented employees will receive the COLA established earlier for FY26, FY27 and FY28.
Debate focused on two issues: (1) affordability for borough taxpayers and the sustainability of recurring personnel costs, and (2) fairness and morale among staff who argued that leadership and long-tenured employees should not be singled out for exclusion from cost-of-living adjustments. Multiple Assembly members said staff are highly capable but that personnel services are the boroughlargest recurring expenditure and deserve closer review.
Human Resources Manager Carolyn Eklund told the Assembly she would undertake a comprehensive review of the boroughpay system, including historical data, evaluation frequency, pay-grade step distributions, the 2021 compensation study performed by Gallagher and union agreements. Eklund estimated a report with layered options could be ready by October or, at latest, by the policy-session timeframe. The Assembly gave unanimous direction for HR to analyze staffing levels and step increases and return recommendations to improve payroll efficiency.
Roll call votes
- Motion to reconsider the prior vote: passed on roll call. (6 yes, 0 no, 1 absent) - Motion to adopt the amended COLA exclusions resolution: failed (vote tally recorded on the floor; result means Resolution 3,100 remains in effect).
