Milford Personnel Board sets FY27 cost-of-living adjustments at 3% for most employee groups

The Milford Personnel Board voted on Jan. 14 to set several FY27 cost-of-living adjustments at 3% and to adopt a set of specific rates for election-related positions.

Finance Director Zack Taylor told the board that recent union settlements have typically ranged from 2.5% to 2.75% within multi-year contracts and recommended considering a 3% COLA for the current year while evaluating smaller adjustments in later years. Taylor also suggested shortening the five-year vacation accrual period to three years but urged caution about altering longer accrual milestones.

The board acted on a series of motions led by Member Jim Dorval. The board voted unanimously to set FY27 COLA under Article 2, Sections A–D at 3%; to exempt Article 2, Section D-1; to set Article 2, Section E at 3%; and to set Article 2, Section F at 3%. It also approved increased Tier 2 rates under Article 2, Section I (from 16.25 to 17.00) and adopted the FY27 rates for election roles under Article 2, Section G: Wardens and Clerks $250, Deputies $220, full-day Checkers $200, half-day Checkers $130 and Election Custodian (per election) $205.

All motions on COLA and rates were carried unanimously. The motions were introduced and seconded on the record by members including Jim Dorval, William Wing, Jodie Nosiglia and Teresa Persico.

The board’s actions set salary adjustment guidance and specific temporary rates that will affect non-supervisory and election-day roles; members noted that the board will continue to compare proposed adjustments with ongoing contractual settlements and fiscal forecasts.

What’s next: several related personnel-policy items (including a proposed change to vacation accrual schedules) were discussed elsewhere on the agenda and will be addressed by the board as needed at future meetings.