WSR 98-23-024

ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION

Cite as: AGO 1998 No. 12[October 28, 1998]

colleges and universities - state employees - salaries and wages - compensation - budget and appropriation acts - appropriations - Extent to which a university may vary individual salary increases given language in operating budget appropriation funds for an "average" increase.

1. Under the language of the 1997-99 operating budget, a university may grant individual salary increases larger or smaller than the average 3.0 percent increase funded by legislative appropriation.

2. A university may use its 1997-99 budget appropriation in part to remedy salary disparities discovered by the university through studies or other means.

3. Under the 1997-99 budget act, a university may honor increases previously agreed to in collective bargaining agreements, using "local" or non-appropriated funds for any portion of the increase which the Legislature has declined to fund with its biennial appropriation.

4. If the Legislature fails to appropriate funds for a salary increase for university employees, the extent to which the university may fund such increases with non-appropriated funds depends on the language of the budget act covering the period in question.

Dr. Ivory V. Nelson, President

Central Washington University

Barge 314

400 East 8th Avenue

Ellensburg, WA 98926-7500