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Council adopts 2.5% salary increase after divided debate on staff pay and retention
Summary
Following an extended discussion about employee retention, morale and town tax impacts, the Township of Washington council voted 3–2 to adopt a 2.5% across‑the‑board salary increase for covered municipal employees for 2026.
Council members spent a substantial portion of the meeting debating the appropriate across‑the‑board salary increase for 2026. Administration presented a range of options and individual targeted increases for select positions. Several council members argued that higher raises were needed to retain staff and to recognize the workload of civilian employees; others cautioned about the cumulative fiscal impact on the municipal budget and taxpayers.
After multiple motions and counter‑motions, the council voted to apply a 2.5% salary increase to the baseline 2025 salaries for the 2026 budget year for covered positions. The roll call returned three yes votes and two no votes (Councilman Sears, Councilwoman BZ and Council President Denna voted yes; Councilman Casio and Councilman Omen voted no). Council instructed administration and human resources to apply the increase and prepare payroll adjustments effective with the 2026 implementation schedule.
The vote included limited exceptions noted in supplemental materials and did not alter union agreements recorded separately. Council members asked administration to provide updated payroll run sheets and to consider targeted market adjustments for hard‑to‑fill roles in future budget cycles.
