County commissioners will need to consider whether to pay more to expand a countywide transportation program to round-the-clock coverage. The current schedule doesn’t help people who need to get to work. Three local industries are willing to contribute to costs to expand coverage. A county transportation plan could expand to round-the-clock coverage to help employees get to work. At least that’s the hope for Thrive Allen County. Representatives asked county commissioners to agree to spend up to $54,000 more a year to expand the service and purchase another vehicle for the program.
Source: The Iola Register

Christmas came early for Iola city employees Monday night. Council members approved a 5.9% cost of living adjustment to employee paychecks next year, mirroring the same increases Social Security recipients will receive next year. The city traditionally has tied its COLA to the Social Security Index. Next year’s raise is the largest in the past 20 years. The last time COLAs were north of 5% was in 2009, when raises were 5.8%. While the raises are above what the Council planned when setting the 2022 budget earlier this year, with insurance premiums rising only about 1.3% next year, the city should have plenty of room to absorb the generous increase, City Administrator Matt Rehder explained.
Source: The Iola Register