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Council debates police-pension COLA; tables ordinance pending legal review
Summary
Councilors debated Ordinance 2026-01 to grant a cost-of-living adjustment to the police pension after the pension board recommended the change; a council member said the borough could face about $80,000 in long-term costs and asked for solicitor guidance and collective-bargaining review. Council voted to table the ordinance to March for legal advice.
Clarks Summit Borough Council discussed Ordinance 2026-01, a proposed cost-of-living adjustment for the police pension recommended by the pension board, and decided to table action until the solicitor can advise whether the council is legally bound by the pension board's recommendation or by the collective-bargaining agreement.
"I guess there is gonna be... it will cost the borough a little bit down the road. I think there's estimated about 80,000," said Bob Shields, who identified himself as having served on the pension board and said he had voted against granting COLAs at the board level. Shields said the borough's pension had been funded responsibly but warned that automatic COLAs can create long-term fiscal pressure.
Council members asked whether the collective-bargaining agreement or pension board decision would obligate the council to follow the pension board recommendation. The solicitor said he would review the agreement and provide a memorandum to council with guidance on whether the council is bound by the pension board action.
A motion to table the ordinance until March carried on a voice vote so council can consider the solicitor's guidance and the financial implications before proceeding.
Next steps: solicitor will prepare a memorandum clarifying legal obligations and whether the council must follow the pension board or may act independently; council will revisit the ordinance in March.
