CAT reports wage increases, new bus purchases

The payee and the amount had been altered, but Mayhew said that, thanks to Positive Pay — the bank’s fraud protection program — no funds left the account. When she contacted Les Schwab, she learned they were already dealing with a similar incident.

Mayhew said that, for now, all payments to Les Schwab will be hand delivered instead of going through the mail, and CAT is looking for a permanent solution.

During the action items segment of the meeting, Executive Director Amy Schlappi said the salary scale for CAT’s office staff and non-unionized workers is being updated. In the Fiscal Year 2026 budgeting process, “it became clear the pay scales required immediate updates,” she said. “The pay progression between steps were not uniform, and … long term employees were not adequately recognized,” she said.

Staff also recommended COLA increases range from zero to a maximum of 5% each year as funding allows, to align with Social Security cost-of-living increases. 

The proposed new pay scale will increase costs by about $10,000 in wages alone and about $14,000 in total personnel expenses (including payroll taxes, etc.) for the 2026 fiscal year. The board unanimously approved the new salary scale.

Operations Manager Jeff Acciaioli reported CAT is acquiring three new buses currently on order through Northwest Bus Sales, with anticipated delivery this fall. Due to supply chain issues, these buses will be gasoline powered.

In a follow up email, Schlappi said the district had been unable to acquire electric buses that meet its needs.

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Columbia Gorge Documenters are powered by Uplift Local. Read full meeting notes of the May 21 meeting by Uplift Local Documenter Douglas Burkhardt here.