Douglas County approves four‑year AFSCME contract covering youth center staff

The Douglas County Board approved, as part of its consent agenda March 31, a four‑year labor agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) representing employees at the Douglas County Youth Center. County administration staff described the contract as primarily covering detention officers with support staff included.

Marco San Martin (S12), representing county administration, told commissioners the agreement provides an estimated 7% increase for detention staff in 2026 followed by smaller increases in subsequent years; support staff would receive about 3% each year. He estimated the first‑year increase to base salaries would be roughly $400,000, with year‑over‑year additions of about $227,000 in each subsequent year and a cumulative increase of about $2.9 million over the four‑year term. Administration said the bargaining group covers roughly "a hundred plus" employees.

Commissioner Cavanaugh (S5) asked for the percent and dollar amount to be recorded for the public record; the administration supplied the percentage schedule and the ballpark dollar estimates. The consent block containing the contract passed unanimously as part of the broader consent agenda votes.

The board did not alter the contract terms during the meeting; the county noted the figures were estimates and that the actual fiscal impact assumes stable bargaining group size and classification distribution.

What happens next: the contract will be implemented by county payroll staff and reflected in future budget updates and salary transfers.