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Commissioners debate COLA size for 2027; approve multiple scenarios for preliminary budget
Summary
Ramsey County commissioners debated whether to present modest (2–2.5%) or larger (3–4%) COLA options for the 2027 preliminary budget; to preserve flexibility they approved sending a three‑option package to department heads for modeling before the August deadline.
Commissioners debated how large a countywide cost‑of‑living adjustment should be for 2027 and how that COLA should interact with step movement under the new pay model. Several members urged higher starting numbers for preliminary budget modeling; others emphasized fiscal realism.
A commissioner asked, "Why can't we come in at more like a 4.5 percent?" noting the meaningful effect on low‑wage employees. Nicole said her recommended starting point for modeling was 2% but that she had scenarios available at 2.25, 2.5 and higher levels and could provide multiple options to department heads. "If you want to start high and have alternate options, that's fine," she said, stressing the importance of modeling impacts before final decisions.
The commission ultimately approved a motion to forward multiple COLA scenarios (examples discussed in the meeting: 4%, 3%, 2.25%) to department heads for inclusion in the preliminary budget. Commissioners emphasized the practical constraint that the preliminary submission can be lowered later but not raised after the preliminary deadline, which influenced some members’ preference to start with a higher preliminary figure.
