How disappointing to learn that Sammamish “adopts new COLA plan.” (Reporter, July 20, page 3). COLAs are antiquated practices that provide automatic increases to pay simply for being on the job for another year. They are not related to performance or to the value of the work being done (in fact they provide highly compensated employees with increases that may put their actual pay well beyond what is reasonable in the marketplace.).

Many cities and other governmental agencies have recognized that COLAs perpetuate an entitlement mentality among employees and increase costs for citizens without any accountability for results. I believe it is time for the city to engage in thoughtful discussion about how pay is administered so that employees can be treated fairly and competitively and our tax dollars can be used wisely.

John Hankerson, Sammamish