Jerome staff recommend 4% pay increase as insurance costs loom

City staff recommended a 4% salary increase for FY2027 to help offset rising costs for employees while noting that employer insurance premiums are likely to rise significantly. The recommendation was presented as part of the broader FY2027 preliminaries; the council did not take a vote and staff framed the proposal as part of the tentative budget preparation.

Human Resources Director Esmeralda Chavez told the council that "the final figures for insurance premiums would be presented at the August 4th City Council meeting," signaling that benefit costs remain subject to confirmation before the tentative budget is finalized.