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Cordele commissioners debate proposed retirement benefit increases as staff cites $143,000 annual cost
Summary
Commissioners discussed proposed retirement changes—multiplier increase, shorter vesting, higher elected-official payout—that staff estimated would raise ongoing costs by about $143,000 per year. Commissioners asked staff to amend the consultant study, provide a breakdown of expected costs, and return in roughly 90 days.
Cordele, Ga. — Members of the Cordele City Commission spent a substantial portion of the June 16 meeting debating proposed changes to the city’s retirement plan after staff presented a cost estimate of roughly $143,000 per year for three proposed enhancements.
City staff told the commission the package under consideration would (1) raise the retirement multiplier for employees from 1.25 to 1.5, (2) shorten vesting from 10 years to seven years, and (3) increase the elected-official retirement calculation from $13 per month of service to $30 per month of service. Staff said the three changes together produce an estimated recurring cost of about $143,000 annually.
Commissioners divided on the proposal. One commissioner argued the city’s current 1.25 multiplier puts Cordele at a hiring disadvantage compared with the county, and urged moving toward 1.5 to help retain and recruit staff. Other commissioners urged caution, saying the city is still reconciling prior years’ finances and currently faces a reported gap between requests and revenue of roughly $800,000.
The commission asked for more detail on how the $143,000 estimate breaks down between general employees and elected officials. City manager David Wade and staff said they would provide that allocation and related analyses. Commissioner Tim Shepard asked that the consultant’s study be amended to model a higher elected-official comparable (a 60 figure versus the 30 in the original study) so the commission could see the fiscal impact of that alternative.
Members also sought timing guidance. Staff said any change would apply prospectively and would not be retroactive for prior service. The commission directed staff to return with the amended cost study and budget options within approximately 90 days and to schedule a midyear budget review so the city can assess whether the changes are affordable.
No final policy change was adopted at the meeting; the item remains under study and staff were tasked with producing the requested scenarios and cost breakdowns for the commission’s next review.
