Iron County to cover URS Tier‑2 public‑safety employee contribution starting July 1

The Iron County Commission voted to pick up the Utah Retirement System (URS) Tier‑2 employee contribution for public‑safety employees effective July 1, 2026.

HR director Jennifer reported that URS announced a July change increasing Tier‑2 contribution rates. Under URS rules, if the employer elects to pick up Tier‑2 public‑safety contributions, the employer must apply that pickup to all public‑safety Tier‑2 employees. County staff said the additional employer cost for Tier‑2 public‑safety was approximately $72,266 (staff estimate presented for the group), and that the county would allocate those costs across applicable departmental funds (general fund, road fund, landfill, etc.).

The commission discussed alternatives: (1) require employees to pay the increase; (2) require employee payment while planning a larger raise in the next budget; (3) require employee payment and provide a July raise; or (4) county pickup for public safety only (with non‑public‑safety Tier‑2 employees paying the increase from paychecks). Commissioners heard concerns from the sheriff’s office about recruitment and retention in a competitive regional labor market; deputies and others cited offers from neighboring jurisdictions with higher pay and shorter retirement timelines.

Commissioners said the county’s ongoing jail expansion plan and expected future revenues factored into their judgment about temporary fiscal cost. After discussion a motion to pick up the Tier‑2 public‑safety employee contribution was moved, seconded and approved by the commission. Staff said this action will be implemented as a payroll change effective July 1 and referenced an update needed to county policy (Section 21) to reflect the pickup percentage.

The transcript and staff presentation did not include a roll‑call tally; financial details were presented as estimates and staff noted that a mid‑year budget adjustment may be required depending on final accounting.