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Sumter County staff directed to budget 3% COLA as commissioners review pay study with $1.3M–$2.3M cost range
Summary
County staff said October 2025 CPI‑W was 2.8% and recommended communicating a 3% COLA for budget planning; a consultant’s pay and classification study proposes new pay ranges to reduce compression and could cost between roughly $1.3 million and $2.3 million depending on scope and implementation timing.
Sumter County commissioners gave staff direction Jan. 20 to communicate a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for budgeting purposes and asked for implementation scenarios after reviewing a countywide pay and compensation study.
County administrator Arnold and employee-services staff explained that the county’s policy uses the October CPI‑W index to set COLA guidance; October 2025’s CPI‑W was 2.8%. "If that CPIW is...2.8%...we look for guidance to confirm, you do want to proceed with that," Arnold told the board. Chair (speaker 3) voiced support: "I have no problem with doing another 3% this year." The board instructed staff to treat 3% as the working assumption for next year’s budget while final adoption remains…
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