Riley County Human Resource Director proposes 8% COLA raise

At Thursday’s Riley County Commission meeting, Human Resource Director Elizabeth Ward proposed an 8% COLA adjustment and a merit increase, with an average of 2.14%.

Commissioner John Ford commented on this adjustment.

Commissioner Kathryn Focke suggested a smaller change.

At issue is the inflation rate and uncertainty of the current economic situation. Commissioners remarked that neighboring counties have equal or higher wages for thier employees.

The merit increse would have an impact of $443,000. The proposed COLA increase would increase the budget by $2.6 million. The merit increase and COLA increase would bring the total payroll to $30 million.