Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Billings County sets preliminary 2027 cost-of-living increase at 2.25% amid insurance uncertainty
Summary
The commission directed staff to use a 2.25% COLA for departmental budget templates after reviewing CPI‑U (3.8% April over April) and discussing insurance-rate uncertainty and reserve implications; staff will circulate spreadsheets and departments will return preliminary budget requests.
Finance staff provided the CPI‑U (April over April) figure of 3.8% and a staffing/salary spreadsheet to guide departmental budget submissions. Commissioners debated whether to index COLA to CPI‑U or to choose a lower percentage given health-insurance and retirement-rate uncertainties and the county's reserve position.
After discussion one commissioner proposed 1.5% but the motion failed for lack of a second. The board ultimately approved a motion setting a 2.25% preliminary cost-of-living increase to be used in department budget worksheets; staff will circulate spreadsheets and departments are to return preliminary budgets for review. Commissioners reserved the right to revisit the number after the county receives final health-insurance premium information.
