Utah County adopts 2017 budget after tense debate over 2% COLA for elected officials

The Utah County Commission adopted the county's 2017 budget on a 3-0 vote after extended debate over whether to give seven elected officials a 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

Commissioners considered staff'recommended budget adjustments and a reserved line for a 2% COLA for elected officials. Several residents who spoke during the public hearing urged the commission not to grant commissioner pay increases; Wendy Bagley told the panel, "Please do not vote yourselves a salary increase." Several commissioners said they were reluctant to raise their own pay while supporting pay adjustments for other elected officials and department heads.

Commissioner (speaker 2) moved to grant a 2% COLA for the seven elected officials other than the commissioners; the motion passed 2-1. Commissioners said the increase was budget-neutral because several offices had underspent and absorbed the adjustment without growing their operating budgets in the final schedule prepared by county staff. The commission then adopted the overall 2017 budget resolution by unanimous vote.

The discussion also touched on a broader salary study that county staff plans to complete in the first half of 2017. Several commissioners said they wanted that study'which will look at total compensation and comparable counties'to inform future decisions. Other commissioners argued the COLA is a routine adjustment to hold purchasing power steady and should not be delayed while officials await the study.

The commission recorded the final vote to adopt the budget and approved delegations necessary to implement the plan. The budget adoption was the last major action of the meeting before commissioners scheduled closed-session items for property and litigation matters.