Marion County employees will see 7% raise over two years under new contract

The Marion County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved a two-year, $19.7 million contract for the union covering most of its employees.

The roughly 900 employees represented by the Marion County Employee Association will see raises of 4% this year and 3% next year.

That union includes many different types of county employees including those who maintain county roads, provide addiction treatment, custodial services and medical billing services.

The extra costs were not factored into the county’s budget adopted in June, but will be covered with contingency funds that will be shifted over through supplemental budgets expected to go before commissioners in October, said county spokesman Jon Heynen. 

“Since negotiations did not conclude before the July 1 date of the new fiscal year, the county budget did not include these increases,” Heynen said. “However, the county-wide budget maintains a contingency line item in order to pay for the negotiated settlement costs, as well as other expenses.”

The county has $37.6 million budgeted in contingency. 

Commissioners on Wednesday also approved a new contract for the Oregon Nurses Association, which covers around 15 current and 8 vacant employee positions. Nurses working for the county will receive a 4% cost of living increase in year one and a 3% cost of living increase in year two according to the agreement.

The employee association contract provides increased retirement contributions, 24 hours of paid bereavement leave, and a $100 increase in employee health insurance contributions for each year.  

“The message is loud and clear that we really appreciate every one of our 1,700 employees plus that help serve the citizens of Marion County,” county commissioner Kevin Cameron said during the meeting. “That is truly where it happens. The boots on the ground.” 

The board of county commissioners also approved a new $3.8 million union contract for Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies earlier this month. The costs associated with the new contract, which also goes through June of 2026, will be adopted in a supplemental budget in the fall.

Contact reporter Joe Siess: [email protected] or 503-335-7790.

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