Mayor Steve Bach would like to extend his thanks and appreciation to the Colorado Springs City Council for joining him in endorsing State Senator Kent Lambert’s

(R-SD 9) bill: “Local Government Option to Change PERA Contribution Rates.” Mayor Bach and former Mayor Rivera appeared before Council on Monday (January 10) asking that the Council get behind this bill.

In an 8-1 vote, City Council made the decision to sign a resolution in support of Senator Lambert’s bill which gives local control over PERA (Public Employees’ Retirement Association) decision making. This bill, if passed by the legislature and approved by the Governor, will delegate from the State of Colorado to municipalities, the authority beginning in 2013 to adjust employer and civilian employee contribution rates into the plan. Currently, the City contributes 13.7%, and the employees 8.0%. Under Lambert’s plan, the City could lower its annual contribution by as much as 2.5% of payroll, while employees would increase their contribution by up to 2.5% of their pay.

“I support Senator Lambert’s proposal because it gives the City flexibility to adjust contribution sharing in the future as part of the overall budget-balancing process we must accomplish for the City’s long-term fiscal sustainability,” said Mayor Bach. City Council, not the Mayor, has the authority to change the plan.

View detail ...