Cole County raises mileage reimbursement, advances pay-scale and budget items as commission prepares final 2025 budget

Cole County commissioners voted to change the county's standard mileage reimbursement to 65.5 cents per mile effective Jan. 1, 2025, aligning the county closer to the state rate. The motion passed by voice vote at the Dec. 24 meeting.

During an extended budget discussion, commissioners reviewed proposed 2025 salary and benefit items. The commission indicated support for a uniform cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and a $500-per-employee stipend plus a 2.2% COLA, and approved moving forward with those numbers for the draft budget. Commissioners also approved adoption of an EMS pay schedule change, to take effect with the first full pay period in January 2025.

Commissioners agreed to place a series of salary-reserve lines in the draft 2025 budget for key departments. Notable items discussed included salary reserve amounts for Road & Bridge (initial request of roughly $114,500 plus benefits), assessment office staffing reserves (commissioners agreed to set aside $30,000 in a dedicated reserve), and a general-fund salary reserve figure of approximately $277,000 to be managed through HR and the auditor as departments refine job descriptions and pay recommendations.

County staff noted that many of the salary-reserve figures will require HR review and final approvals before funds are expended, and that final budget numbers will be published and available to the public prior to the Jan. 7 budget hearing and final approval. Commissioners emphasized the draft numbers are intended as placeholders in a cash-basis budget and that final figures will incorporate actual cash balances as of Jan. 1.

No formal vote on the complete final budget occurred at the meeting; the commission will hold a public budget hearing and vote on the final 2025 budget on Jan. 7.