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Cordele commissioners debate bonuses and cost-of-living raises as July budget deadline nears
Summary
At the June 2 Cordele City commission meeting, elected officials and staff discussed possible employee bonuses, cost-of-living adjustments and the need to raise utility rates to balance the budget; commissioners asked staff for concrete budget scenarios before a July 1 target.
Cordele City commissioners pressed staff on how to close gaps in the fiscal 2027 budget on June 2, with several elected officials urging support for employee compensation while finance staff warned that pay increases will require higher rates or other revenue increases.
Commissioners and staff reviewed recent revenues and utility billing figures. The finance director reported May collections for sales and utilities and said disconnect-fee changes approved earlier will take effect July 1. Commissioners heard that enterprise funds (water, gas, sanitation) have been used in the past to cover general-fund shortfalls and that restoring enterprise fund solvency will require rate adjustments.
Several commissioners advocated one-time bonuses and a recurring cost-of-living increase. One commissioner proposed a one-time $800 bonus for each employee as an illustrative figure; others urged caution and asked staff to present multiple scenarios. City finance and consulting staff warned that a sustained cost-of-living adjustment compounds year to year and that paying bonuses from operating revenue could require offsetting rate increases or other revenue measures.
City staff and the city consultant recommended preparing detailed budget scenarios and rate models for elected officials to review. They noted the city has roughly $10 million across all funds but much of that is restricted or designated for specific projects; reserve levels for core funds were described as limited. Commissioners directed management to bring numbers back quickly—staff said they would attempt to present a proposal as soon as practicable but cautioned that a full, realistic budget by July 1 may require staged (multi-year) rate increases.
The commission also asked for a clear pay-scale report showing every position’s step and starting rate. Commissioners said they want to evaluate options including modest recurring cost-of-living raises, smaller one-time bonuses, and a phased approach to rate increases intended to reduce the shock to residents while restoring financial stability.
Next steps: staff will produce budget scenarios showing (a) the fiscal impact of one-time bonus options, (b) recurring cost-of-living increases at different percentages, and (c) rate-change options for enterprise funds tied to the projected personnel changes. The commission scheduled a follow-up review and asked for drafts that show legal/regulatory constraints and any required public-notice steps for utility-rate changes.
