The Richland County Board of Commissioners voted on Dec. 5 to approve a three‑year collective‑bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local 2520 covering staff at the county Child Support Enforcement Agency.

After returning from a closed executive session on union negotiations, a board member asked for approval of the proposed contract, saying the term is effective Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2028 with annual increases of 10%, 4% and 3%. The motion was seconded and the board recorded affirmative roll‑call votes.

County officials offered public praise for the negotiations. The agenda acknowledged the county’s HR director, Kelly Christiansen, and the board expressed “special kudos” to the county’s CSEA negotiation team and HR for a negotiations outcome they described as well done.

The board did not discuss in detail at the open meeting any changes to staffing levels or budgetary line items tied to the increases; commissioners said the contract will take effect as stated. Implementation and budgetary details were not specified on the record at the Dec. 5 meeting.