Lamar County approves FY2025–26 budgets, $1-an-hour COLA and new PTO policy

Lamar County commissioners on Oct. 6 approved the county’s FY2025–26 budgets, a $1-per-hour cost-of-living raise for employees and changes to personnel and leave policies that will convert annual and sick leave into a combined paid-time-off (PTO) bank.

The vote completed a budget process county leaders said took months of staff work. The commission approved the general fund and multiple departmental budgets after the county administrator confirmed coordination with the revenue commissioner’s office. Commissioners thanked Administrator Suzanne and budget staff for compiling the figures used to finalize the spending plan.

Commissioners also voted to implement a $1-per-hour across-the-board cost-of-living adjustment for county employees. Unidentified Commissioner (S3) moved the measure; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The commission described the COLA as part of a multi-year effort to raise starting pay and retain staff.

The board authorized amendments to chapter 9 of the personnel policy to change holiday-pay handling and consolidate annual and sick leave into a single PTO bank beginning Oct. 1, 2025. Administrator Suzanne explained the county must budget for PTO under the Gatsby 101 governmental accounting approach the county uses; the county will cap cash-out at separation to 120 hours. Suzanne said the change was intended to align accounting practices with commonly accepted standards and preserve eligibility for federal grants.

Commissioners discussed benefits and insurance costs during debate. One commissioner noted county-paid insurance premiums have increased in recent years and that the county has historically absorbed employer-cost increases rather than passing them to employees.

The meeting closed with routine administrative items and a schedule change: the courthouse will be closed Oct. 13 for a state holiday and the next commission meeting will be Oct. 14, 2025.