Hallock approves 3% COLA for employees
By Anna Jauhola
The Hallock City Council approved a 3% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for city employees in 2025. Over the last seven years, the council has approved an average 3.25% COLA, with 2023 being the highest at 6.5% due to the high cost of inflation.
“There was a personnel committee recommendation of a 4% increase,” said Kendra Kroening, city clerk/administrator.
According to information presented to the council, the U.S. Social Security COLA is 2.5% for 2025 and federal employees’ COLA is 5.2%.
“Interesting. How did we arrive at 1.5 points higher than the cost of living?” asked Mayor Dave Treumer. “I’m just curious, because we usually try not to do that.”
Councilor Naomi Larson said the committee looked at those two numbers and tried to arrive at a number in between, and suggested a 4% COLA.
Councilor Kevin Waller asked about insurance costs for 2025. According to the same informational sheet, health insurance plans went down by about $15. Both Treumer and Waller said they were considering a 3% COLA, which is what the council approved for 2024.
“If insurance isn’t going up, would 3% really be bad?” Treumer said.
“That’s what I was thinking, 3%. Here it shows 2.5%,” Waller said, referring to the Social Security COLA. “We’re not talking about much of a difference.”
Waller motioned to approve a 3% cost of living adjustment for 2025, with Councilor Mike Totleben seconding. The council approved the motion, with Councilor Jen Peterson abstaining.
This increase includes the city council as well – the council voted in 2022 to receive the same COLA as city employees.
In other business, the council:
• Closed the regular meeting and convened the annual Truth in Taxation meeting, with no members of the public present. Treumer pointed out the city is no longer above its tax capacity like it was from 2012 to 2021. The city’s certified levy is $293,504 with two bond payments of $81,100 and $41,881, as well as a capital project levy payment of $42,019. The city’s budget for 2025 is set at $1,202,681.
• Approved giving city employees a half-day off on Christmas Eve, with the city office closing at noon.
• Approved the resignation of Justin TerWee as a volunteer firefighter after nearly 19 years on the department. Chief Seth Preble said they have people interested in the two positions that are now open.
• Approved a quote from Todd’s Electric to install exterior lights on the hangar facing the runway at the Hallock Airport to provide better lighting when, especially when there is a life flight. The cost is $701.57.
• Approved the renewal of five liquor licenses for 2025 for the Hallock Curling Club, Hallock Eagles, Last Chance Trading Post, Craft Brew Haus and Red Barn Liquor.
• Approved the designated polling place for 2025, an annual designation, as the Hallock City Hall.
• Approved a temporary liquor license for the Two River Golf Club to dispense alcohol at the Hallock City Hall on Saturday, Dec. 28 for the Peterson/Modlin wedding.
The next meeting is a special meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 5:30 p.m. in Hallock City Hall, regarding the street improvement project.
