South Summit COG approves amended 2025 operations budget after union raises

The South Summit Council of Governments on Tuesday approved Resolution 2025-03, amending the 2025 operations budget for the South Summit dispatch center to reflect higher wages and longevity pay resulting from a recently ratified union contract. The council moved the measure and adopted it by roll call.

Dispatch manager Leslie told the council the operations budget "has increased due to the union contract passing. So the wages have increased. Longevity was added." She said revenue figures also changed because Coventry’s portion was removed following a quarter adjustment, but emphasized the amendment concerns the budget document itself rather than an accounting error.

Members sought clarification on whether the item was capital or operating; one member noted the capital budget had been addressed at the prior meeting and the present amendment applies to operations. After discussion the chair moved to adopt the amendment; a member seconded and the council recorded affirmative roll call votes and approved the resolution.

Why it matters: the change updates the dispatch center’s available operating funds to cover the labor cost increases that took effect after collective bargaining. Council members said the amendment was procedural — to align appropriation authority with negotiated wages — and not the result of a miscalculation.

The council did not identify a separate funding source beyond the revised revenue report and routine line-item adjustments discussed during the meeting. The Chair said staff will follow standard procurement and reporting practices to ensure the auditor’s requirements are met.

The council moved on to the dispatch manager’s broader report after the vote.