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Manitou Springs council approves retroactive 3% cost‑of‑living increase, funds moved between departments
Summary
The Manitou Springs City Council voted 5–1 to approve Resolution No. 1026, transferring budgeted amounts between departments to fund a retroactive 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for full‑time city employees. Councilors cited fiscal adjustments and one dissent raised concerns about spending priorities.
The Manitou Springs City Council approved Resolution No. 1026 on April 21, transferring budgeted amounts between departments to provide a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for full‑time city employees. The motion carried 5–1; Councilor John Shada cast the lone dissent.
City Attorney Jeff Parker told the council the city charter permits budget transfers by resolution in home‑rule jurisdictions, saying, “your charter allows for resolutions when you're transferring money between … departments, offices, funds.” Staff described proposed reductions across several line items to fund the COLA without increasing the overall budget.
Finance staff presented details of the proposed transfers: a $7,000 reduction in the digital ADA compliance line (from $10,000 to $3,000) because an in‑house ADA coordinator now handles the work; a $45,000 reduction in executive professional services; a $10,000 savings from not refilling a planned planning staff position; cuts to parks beautification and materials (about $35,000 and $14,000 respectively); reduced seasonal pool hours; and a $35,000 reduction in a municipal program donation to the local school. Officials said those and other adjustments equaled the amount needed to fund the COLA and bring the budget in line with the proposed 3% increase.
Mayor Natalie Johnson noted this is the fourth time the item was discussed during budget workshops and that the council intends the COLA to be retroactive. The council also recorded that certain departments showed expenditures slightly over the three‑month expected threshold, but staff said journal entries and anticipated revenue timing should resolve those variances.
Councilor Shada dissented in the final vote but did not move to amend the resolution. The COLA will be applied retroactively as stated when the municipality executes the transfers and payroll adjustments.
Council minutes show the vote carried 5–1; staff will implement the transfers and adjust payroll records as required.
