FROM: Stacey Barnier, Chief Human Resources Officer
SUBJECT: Approve the SBCERA Salary Schedule for All Employees Effective December 26, 2026
RECOMMENDATION:
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Approve the SBCERA Salary Schedule for All Employees effective December 26, 2026 (the pay period included January 1, 2027), reflecting a 3.6% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).
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BACKGROUND:
Since 2019, SBCERA has implemented an indexed Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) based upon the actual percent change in the Consumer Price Index for Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario as reported annually in October of each year (for the period from September to September).
Staff recommends that the Board continue its practice of approving an indexed COLA using the same methodology as applied for the last eight years. Specifically, Staff recommends that the Board adopt a new SBCERA Salary Schedule for All Employees which reflects a 3.6% COLA adjustment. For comparison, the U.S. City Average percent change is 3.7% which matches the change for the Los Angeles area.
The proposed Salary Schedule is attached as Exhibit A, and would take effect on December 26, 2026, which is the pay period that includes January 1, 2027. This is consistent with past practice.
COMMITTEE REVIEW:
This item was presented at the October 20, 2026 Executive Committee Meeting. While all members of the Executive Committee were present for the meeting, two joined virtually. The Brown Act requires that a majority of the members be present in a single location, and therefore, there was not technically a quorum. As a result, there is no formal recommendation from the Committee on this item.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Costs for this item are included in the current year administrative and/or non-administrative budget.
STRATEGIC PLANNING GOAL/OBJECTIVE:
Quality Employer and Workplace
STAFF CONTACT:
Stacey Barnier
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A: SBCERA Salary Schedule for All Employees Effective December 26, 2026
Exhibit B: Bureau of Labor Statistics Economic News Release for CPI