DeKalb Retirees Celebrate Proposed Cost of Living Increase

DEKALB, Ga. – For the second consecutive year, DeKalb County retirees and beneficiaries could receive a two-percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

"After 14 years with no cost of living increases for DeKalb County retirees, we commend the CEO and the Board of Commissioners for recognizing this problem,” said Janice Henck, vice president of the DeKalb County Retired Employees Association. “We appreciate the funds being included for the second year in a row in the proposed 2020 budget."

Approximately 11,000 retirees and beneficiaries would benefit from the increase which is included in DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond’s proposed fiscal year 2020 budget submitted to the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 13.

The annualized cost of the adjustment will be $2.1 million if commissioners approve the increase, which would become effective on July 1, 2020.

Before receiving a two-percent increase in July 2019, retirees had not received a COLA in 14 years.

“We are able to propose this much-needed increase because the county has made prudent financial decisions for the past three budget cycles,” CEO Thurmond said.

The budget will be voted on by the Board of Commissioners no later than Feb. 28, 2020. 

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