TGB Approves 5% COLA Increase for Non-Contracted Employees

By Joe Morey

News Editor

On Tuesday, October 10, 2023, the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Governing Board (TGB) approved a 5% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) increase for all non-contracted employees that are under the Tribal Budget effective October 1, 2023.

LCO Chairman Louis Taylor said this is the third cost of living increase in five years, totaling 15% overall.

Taylor acknowledged all the tribal employees for the incredible job they are doing, including the schools, college, casino, the clinic and all the enterprises.

“We have professional people here and it shows,” Taylor stated. He went on to say that over the past five years of the COLA increases, the Tribe continues to grow and prosper, doing better than it ever has.

“We owe all that to our wonderful employees. Our managers and staff are all doing an incredible job to move our Tribe forward.”

In acknowledging all the successes at LCO, Taylor noted continued growth at the LCO Ojibwe School seeing enrollment and attendance records, continued expansions at the LCO Ojibwe College, LCO FS increasing revenues, continued growth at Sevenwinds Casino, huge growth at the LCO Health Center with a new facility in the works, and increased revenues at all the tribal enterprises.