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Banner County panel approves 2026 COLA for officials, debates multi-year salary schedule
Summary
The Banner County Board of Commissioners approved a 3.5% cost-of-living increase for elected officials and their deputies for 2026 and directed staff to finalize a draft multi-year salary schedule (Resolution 26-10) for 2027–2030. The board also debated health insurance cost-sharing and retention-focused raises.
The Banner County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment for elected officials and their deputies for 2026 and spent the bulk of its Jan. 8 meeting drafting a multi-year pay plan for elected offices.
Commissioner Don Lease moved the motion to set the 2026 COLA at 3.5% for elected officials and their deputies; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote. The board then debated a separate proposal to increase elected-official salaries by 5% beginning Jan. 1, 2027, for the 2027–2030 term. That proposal prompted sustained discussion about whether a larger increase (7.5%–10%) would be needed to retain staff and make county positions competitive with neighboring jurisdictions.
Members emphasized that…
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