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Monroe committee recommends 2.7% COLA for city employees, effective Jan. 1, 2026
Summary
The City of Monroe Salary and Personnel Committee voted unanimously to recommend a 2.7% cost‑of‑living adjustment for the city pay scale, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The committee directed the recommendation to finance and counsel; members debated a higher increase against capital funding needs.
The City of Monroe Salary and Personnel Committee voted unanimously to recommend a 2.7% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for the city compensation pay scale, to be effective Jan. 1, 2026. The committee forwarded the recommendation to the finance department and city counsel as part of the draft 2026 budget.
Administrator Vindy told the committee that work on the draft budget and the Wisconsin consumer price index confirmed a 2.7% figure and that the draft materials presented to finance that evening reflected that percentage. "The percentage was confirmed to be at 2.7%," she said, and reminded members that staff also receive a 2.5% step increase on their anniversary dates.
Committee members wrestled with competing priorities: some argued for a higher COLA to help employees keep pace with living costs, while others cited broader budget pressures and capital needs. "The employees that we have for the City of Monroe are fantastic and deserve to at least be able to keep up with cost of livings," one committee member said, while another member said they were "feeling a little challenged by budget issues" and would be amenable to 2.5%.
Vindy outlined the fiscal tradeoffs in the cover memo: increasing the COLA from 2.7% to 3% would add about $13,000 to expenditures; reducing it to 2.5% would lower expenditures by roughly $22,000. She said those differences would be balanced by adjusting transfers to capital projects or through planned bonding for multi‑million‑dollar capital needs. "We would either increase or decrease how much is transferred for capital projects by that amount," she said, noting the city anticipates bonding for streets and equipment projects in the $5–8 million range and currently has about $400,000–$500,000 in the capital fund balance.
After discussion, a committee member moved to recommend the 2.7% COLA and another member seconded. The clerk called the roll and Alders recorded as present voted in favor; the motion carried unanimously. The committee's recommendation will be included in the materials presented to the finance committee and city counsel as the draft budget is finalized.
The meeting adjourned after members had no further business.
