Dear COBA Members,

I wanted to share some important information regarding the upcoming 2026 County budget that we recently received from the County.

It has come to our attention that there is a potential buyout incentive being considered, which will be included in the budget proposal set to be presented early next week. Please keep in mind that this is just the initial step in the budget process, and there may be changes as it moves through the necessary approvals by the Legislature and NIFA. Therefore, it would be premature to disseminate any information at this stage.

Currently, the tentative timeline for the buyout is from

January 1, 2026, to January 31, 2026. The current proposed incentive is $2,000 for each year of County service. While this news could be beneficial for those considering retirement in early 2026, it is also a positive development for all of us, as it may help create more flexibility in our budget for future contract negotiations.

I want to emphasize that nothing is finalized yet, and this proposal has not been negotiated by any of the County Unions. We will keep you updated as we receive more concrete details.

Wishing you all a great weekend.

Sincerely,
Peter Lilli

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