County budget discussion revisits 2% across‑the‑board raises and calls to study longevity/merit pay

County elected officials and department heads spent significant time on a draft budget proposal that includes a 2% across‑the‑board pay increase for county employees, while several department heads urged the council to study a longevity or merit-based pay program.

Why it matters: With insurance costs rising and county revenue pressures, wage adjustments are among the most consequential items in the budget. Department heads and elected officials said employees are the county’s top asset and asked the council to consider longevity or merit plans in addition to — or instead of — small across‑the‑board increases.

Several department heads spoke in favor of a more structured longevity or merit system. One department head said the 2% increase “doesn’t even cover the cost of living increases this year” and urged the council and human resources to study longevity pay and performance pay in the next budget cycle. Another senior official said the county should view the matter county‑wide rather than department‑by‑department: “If you do it for one, you do it for all,” the speaker said.

Council members and attendees expressed caution. Some favored holding wages in line with any state freeze, while others supported keeping the 2% raise in the draft budget but wanted more analysis before extending any program that would create long-term recurring obligations. One council member suggested creating an HR‑led committee to research the design, fiscal impact and administration of a merit/longivity plan.

Discussion vs. decision: The body did not adopt a new policy or change the recommended 2% in the draft budget at the meeting. Council members indicated they would revisit the issue and asked staff to provide further analysis and revenue scenarios ahead of budget adoption.

Ending: Officials asked HR and department leaders to coordinate a study of longevity and merit pay options and to report back to the council before the next budget cycle; no formal vote was recorded at this meeting.