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Committee reviews 2026 pay and benefits: 1% COLA, step increases, WRS and clinic details
Summary
Staff presented compensation and benefit changes in the proposed 2026 budget including a 1% cost-of-living increase for all employees, step increases where eligible, WRS rate changes and clinic copay rules for employees on high-deductible plans.
Staff presenting the proposed 2026 budget described the county’s compensation and benefits plan and the drivers of higher costs.
"The 2026 budget includes a 1% cost of living increase for all employees effective January 1," the presenter said, adding that employees eligible for step increases would receive 2% on their hire anniversary and those already at market would receive a 0.5% anniversary adjustment. The presenter also warned that Wisconsin Retirement System employer rates are rising (noted at 7.2% in the discussion) while county health-insurance premiums are projected to decline slightly, attributable to lower recent claims and greater use of the neighborhood family clinic.
Committee members sought clarification about clinic costs and employee copays; staff said clinic visits are free to employees unless they are enrolled on a high-deductible plan, in which case a $25 copay applies. The committee also heard that home-delivered meal program costs are increasing, though the county received about $83,000 in additional grant revenue last year that offset those costs. Separately, the county’s Microsoft enterprise agreement will raise annual licensing costs by about $21,500 under a three-year agreement, an IT staff member confirmed.
The compensation and benefits decisions were presented for approval as part of the overall 2026 budget package to be forwarded for board review.
