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______________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 1 of 1 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING <br /> <br />TO: <br />ERMU Commission <br />FROM: <br />Mark Hanson - General Manager <br />MEETING DATE: <br />December 9, 2025 <br />AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: <br />5.4 <br />SUBJECT: <br />Wage & Benefits Committee - Proposed 2026 Adjustments <br />ACTION REQUESTED: <br />Approve the 2026 Wage Adjustment, effective January 1, 2026. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />At the November commission meeting, staff presented the proposed 2026 adjustments. At the <br />time, only six of the seven metro average utilities had confirmed their 2026 wage adjustments, <br />so the commission deferred approval. Based on the information received, the anticipated range <br />was 3.34% to 3.41%. <br /> <br />DISCUSSION: <br />As of this report, the seventh utility has not confirmed its 2026 adjustment, so the anticipated <br />range remains 3.34% to 3.41%. Although the seventh utility is in active negotiations with its <br />lineworker union, settlement is not expected before January 1, 2026. <br />Staff recommend proceeding with one of the following two options: <br />Option 1: Conditional Approval <br />• 1a) If the final utility settles before January 1, 2026, set the 2026 wage adjustment equal <br />to the final metro average wage adjustment. <br />• 1b) If the final utility does not settle January 1, 2026, approve 3.375%, (the midpoint of <br />the current range) as the 2026 wage adjustment to avoid the administrative expense of <br />processing backpay. <br />Option 2: Delay Approval <br />• 2) Wait until the final utility settles, then apply the complete metro adjustment effective <br />January 1, 2026, with backpay. <br /> <br />REQUESTED ACTION: <br />Staff request the commission approve a 2026 wage adjustment effective January 1, 2026. <br />149