Commission votes to reduce operating reserves and invest roughly $707,153 in ongoing wages for county employees

Commissioners debated and approved a plan to shift a portion of the county’s operating reserves to fund further ongoing wage increases beyond the 3% already included in the startup budget.

Finance staff reminded the commission that the startup budget already included an approved 3% raise for classified employees and elected officials. A commissioner proposed reducing the general mill operating reserve from 12% to about 11% (exact percentage to be determined) and directing staff to invest approximately $707,153 in ongoing tax support to add another 3% to wages. The proposal explicitly included all classified employees, elected officials and the grant-funded positions the finance staff noted would likely be unable to absorb pay increases without county support.

Commission staff and the commissioners discussed how the extra 3% would translate by employee type: for example, classified employees with steps would see total increases in the neighborhood of 8% (3% plus step), deputies would total about 7% including longevity, and classified staff without eligible steps would reach roughly 6%.

Commissioners and finance leadership emphasized limits to the approach: the reduction of reserves was described as a one-time tactic not sustainable over multiple budgets, and maintaining a fiscally conservative reserve policy remains important for bond ratings and long-term fiscal stability.

A commissioner moved to direct staff to reduce overall operating reserves out of general mills by closer to 1 percentage point (final percent TBD) and invest $707,153 in ongoing taxes to add the additional wages; the motion passed by voice vote.