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County employees urge board to reconsider healthcare and pay offers
Summary
Several county employees criticized a proposed 2% cost-of-living raise and warned that proposed insurance increases and limited benefits could harm families; speakers asked the board to accept a larger counteroffer or provide additional health-care support.
During the public comment period at the July 22 meeting, multiple county employees urged the Board of Supervisors to revisit proposed compensation and health-care changes.
Shandra Tucker, an intervention counselor and president of the Sutter County Employees Association (ASPE Council 57), told the board that insurance rates set to take effect in 2026 would be crippling for employees and detailed the union’s counteroffer. “As you know, in 2026, the insurance rates will increase 21.9%,” Tucker said, and outlined projected monthly increases across several PPO tiers for single, employee-plus-one and family plans.
Kristen Lambert, a public health employee with eight years of county service, said the board’s 2% cost-of-living offer is inadequate and flagged pay compression with surrounding counties, saying many classifications earn less than $22 per hour and that some employees risk homelessness without higher pay and benefits. “I ask you all to reconsider your rebuttal offer and stance of only a 2% cola,” Lambert said.
Both speakers asked for time-limited, higher economic adjustments and assistance for employees to evaluate health-plan choices. The board did not take immediate action on the comments during the meeting; several supervisors acknowledged employees’ concerns and noted the budget situation and pending staff recommendations. No formal motion followed public comment on compensation at this meeting.
