All is not fair in love, war, and government raises
Staff reporter
Since Marion City Council approved four percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) pay increases for four employees Dec. 18, and the city's budget reflects a 4.1 percent across the board COLA for all city employees, the question was asked, "How much of a pay increase are other municipalities giving to their employees?"
Marion County approved a three percent increase for all elected officials and three percent was built in to the budget for 2006 merit raises, said Marion County Clerk Carol Maggard. All of those raises are considered to be merit raises and not COLAs. It was noted that the county does not have any pay increases, COLA or merit, budgeted for 2007 because of budget constraints.
Hillsboro City Council recently approved a 25 cent per hour increase to all full-time employees. That figures to be a 1.25 percent increase for someone making $20 per hour and a 2.5 percent increase for those making $10 per hour, said Hillsboro City Clerk Jan Meisinger.
Jeff Benbrook, City of Peabody Clerk and Administrator, said a three percent COLA will be given to all full-time City of Peabody employees. That rate was based on information provided by Governor Kathleen Sebelius this past summer when the budget was being planned. Employees also may receive a merit increase or salary adjustment to keep in line with market pressures. Merit raises are based on annual evaluation scores.
The City of Florence does not budget pay increases and determines raises through evaluations.
