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Board signals support for tying county pay to state raise; staff to bring August item for 3.5% COLA
Summary
Finance staff reported a strong preliminary year‑end that included one‑time items and recommended options to match a 3.5% state pay increase. Supervisors expressed unanimous support in principle to pursue a 3.5% COLA for county employees and asked staff to return language for an August consent agenda item.
County Finance Director Brian Carter presented a preliminary June 30 report showing total revenues roughly 105% of budget, driven largely by property taxes and timing differences tied to a tax‑rate change. Carter warned that expenditures sit near 95% of budget and that staff will present appropriation requests for a preliminary $435,000 over‑budget item once year‑end accruals settle.
The board focused debate on the state's late budget change increasing employer payroll benchmarks. Carter said the governor signed a budget that increased state COLA expectations (3.5% for state supported local positions; 4% average for school employees) and estimated the local cost to move county staff from a 3% to a 3.5% COLA at roughly $133,000 for the remainder of the fiscal year. Multiple supervisors voiced support for matching the state 3.5% rate and asked staff to prepare an August consent agenda item with clear appropriation language. Supervisor Tatum urged acting “to take care of our employees,” and Carter said the FY27 budget implications will be part of the auditor and mid‑year appropriation discussion.
Staff noted the additional 0.5% could be covered through personnel reserve and vacancy savings but recommended formal action in August to align payroll and allow reimbursement where state rules apply.
