Douglas County employees will get their 1 percent cost-of-living raises next year.

Commissioners on Wednesday affirmed their commitment to including $167,418 in the 2010 budget to cover the raises, known as a COLA.

“I think it’s important that their salaries are protected and improved if we have that ability,” commissioner Mike Gaughan said.

Every December, the commission reviews consumer price index data and budget numbers to decide whether they need to readjust how much they allocated for the COLA. That way the changes can be reflected in employee paychecks for January.

Gaughan said that in tough budget times county employees have also been asked to do more with less as some demands for county services have increased.

Commissioner Nancy Thellman said before the meeting that she wanted to hear more about how state budget cuts could affect local social service agencies before she signed off on the COLA for employees.

Thellman said after Wednesday’s meeting that commissioners would look at making budget adjustments in other areas later if social service agencies need more help.

“In light of the tough economy, we felt it was appropriate to stand by our budget and give the employees a 1 percent COLA raise,” she said.

Commissioners decided earlier not to give themselves a 1 percent COLA for next year.