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Morrison County approves five union contracts extending 2026–2028 with 3% COLA and step adjustments
Summary
The board approved five ratified union contracts covering 2026–2028 that include a 3% cost-of-living adjustment each year, specified position pay changes (including double pay for deputies on invoiced events and training pay for corrections), and a phased step adjustment in 2027; two commissioners opposed adding the step change.
The Morrison County Board of Commissioners approved five ratified union contracts and a nonunion pay table covering 2026–2028 after staff summarized contract changes and commissioners debated a proposed step adjustment. County staff said all union contracts have been ratified and presented a summary of key terms before the board voted to approve them.
Major contract provisions presented to the board included: a three-year term covering 2026–2028, a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) applied in each year, an added step on the pay scale effective in 2027 (staff said this is an adjustment to market and not an immediate broad new step for every employee), and a split of the state-mandated paid family medical leave at 50% employer / 50% employee.
Staff described position-specific provisions: deputies receive double pay for events where the county invoices for public-safety services; dispatcher FTO pay and corrections officers’ training pay were increased (transcript: corrections training pay raised by $1.75 per hour for new hires while training); public works uniform allowance increases were specified across the three years and HHS employees may work approved weekends at straight time with supervisor approval.
Several commissioners expressed concern about adding another step to the wage scale so soon after a 2025 wage-scale change. Commissioner Moran said he supported the 3% COLA but would not support adding the step because it increases long-term wage obligations; Commissioner Casper echoed concerns about affordability for county taxpayers. Supporters, including the chair, argued the step adjustment helps keep county positions competitive in the labor market and supports retention.
Staff explained Morrison County’s step-and-grade wage scale (22 grades, typically 10 steps) and how the step change would phase in: employees not at step 10 would not realize a new step-10 rate until their anniversary and only employees who had been at step 10 for at least 12 months would immediately realize the new rate. Following discussion, the board voted to approve the five union contracts and the nonunion pay table for 2026–2028.
The board’s discussions included both fiscal concerns for county taxpayers and workforce-retention arguments; the contracts passed on a board vote, and the meeting then moved to scheduled closed sessions.
