McDonald County approves 4% cost-of-living increase for county employees and officeholders

The McDonald County Salary Commission voted Oct. 20 to approve a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for all county officeholders and employees, effective Jan. 1, 2026, meeting minutes show.

The commission discussed that a recent increase in Missouri's minimum wage left lower-wage county positions roughly 4% behind and noted a proposed 7% increase in county health contributions. Commissioners said the combined adjustments aim to help retain and attract staff. Commissioner Rick Lett said the county is "fairly healthy" compared with neighboring southwest regional counties, an observation raised during the discussion.

The vote was recorded in the minutes as passed; the minutes do not list individual yea or nay votes. The action applies to all county officeholders and extends to county employees beginning Jan. 1, 2026. The minutes note the decision followed a meeting of the Salary Commission earlier that day and that the commission "voted and passed a 4% COLA for all office holders" and that all McDonald County employees will also receive the 4% COLA.

County officials described the change as intended to offset wage compression relative to the state minimum wage and to reflect higher employer health contribution costs in the 2026 budget. The minutes say commissioners discussed the 2026 budget implications, including the health contribution increase, but they do not specify dollar amounts or whether the board approved any related budget appropriation that night.

The commission is scheduled to reconvene Oct. 22, 2025.