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Ware County adopts FY2026 budget with 3% staff COLA; quarterly reviews planned
Summary
The Ware County Board of Commissioners on June 26 adopted a zero-balance FY2026 budget that includes a 3% cost-of-living increase for all staff; commissioners and staff agreed to quarterly reviews and a six-month check to consider an additional COLA if revenues allow.
The Ware County Board of Commissioners voted on June 26 to adopt the fiscal year 2026 budget, approving a zero-balance plan that includes a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for all county employees.
County Manager James Shubert told commissioners that the board held a public hearing on the proposed budget on June 18 and that staff added more detail to general fund expenditures before final adoption. "The FY 2026 budget will be a zero-balance budget and include a 3% COLA for all staff," Shubert said during discussion.
Accounting Supervisor Beverly York acknowledged a data entry error that slightly increased the budget from the originally proposed numbers. York "admitted to the Commission that the budget is a little more than the proposed budget because she inadvertently plugged the wrong amount in for one of the items." Commissioners said staff will monitor revenue and expenses quarterly and review the budget at the six-month mark to consider another COLA increase if revenue allows.
Commissioner Barry Cox moved to adopt Resolution 2025-13; Commissioner Leonard Burse seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote recorded by the clerk as unanimous.
Why it matters: the adopted budget sets the county's fiscal priorities for the coming year and guarantees a baseline pay increase for county employees. The quarterly reviews and the potential six-month COLA decision create a mechanism to respond to unanticipated revenue changes.
What happens next: the county will implement the adopted budget and staff said they will conduct quarterly reviews and revisit personnel compensation at six months if revenues permit.
