Riley County Commission approves 5% COLA raise for 2024

Riley County Clerk Rich Vargo presented the newest version of the 2024 budget at Thursday’s meeting. Included were new dollar amounts for the adjusted cost of living adjustment for employees.

The new payroll amount adjusted by the approved 5% COLA is $1.22 million. The total amount in COLA was increased due to new positions that were approved by commissioners earlier this week.

Commissioner John Ford remarked that the COLA adjustment is not a complete solution.

Deputy County Clerk Susan Boller explained why a rise in COLA is necessary.

The overall budget authority is approximately $50.5 million, a decrease of just under a mill from the previous year.