Ray County approves 3% cost-of-living raise for all employees

Ray County Commissioners voted unanimously to give all county employees a 3% cost-of-living increase during a work session on Feb. 2, 2026. Commissioner Max Hockemeier moved the measure and Commissioner Bobby Don Davis seconded; the motion passed 3-0.

The raise was presented during a discussion with Ray County office holders, who were informed the proposed 3% adjustment would apply to employees for the current year. Commissioners recessed the work session at 11:55 a.m. after carrying the motion.

County officials did not specify in the meeting record how the additional payroll expense will be funded in budget detail, nor did they provide an implementation date in the transcript. The minutes record the motion and its unanimous passage but list no amendments or conditions attached to the increase.

Next procedural steps in the record are not specified beyond passage; the commissioners and county staff will need to reflect the increase in payroll processing and in any mid‑year budget updates.