Multiple former city employees and retirees used the Citizens Forum at the Aug. 12 Paris City Council meeting to urge the council to provide a cost-of-living adjustment for city retirees and to clarify the status of a buyback opportunity in the city's retirement system.

Larry Shank, who identified himself as a Paris resident at 3765 Dawn Drive, said the TMRS COLA largely benefits future retirees prospectively and asked council to tell current retirees "where they stand" because there is one year remaining in an available buyback opportunity. "We have 1 more year in this opportunity to do this buyback. 1 more year and that's it," Shank said.

Steven Red Holmes, who identified himself as a retired detective sergeant from the city of Paris after 26 years, thanked council members for their public service and said the city must act to retain employees and support retirees: "I'm asking you as good godly Christian citizens, council members...please pray for these city employees and and the retirees." He described operational demands on city employees and urged pay and benefit policies that help retention.

Tony Friend and Wanda Thorpe, both identified as retirees who worked more than 20 years for the city, also requested consideration of a COLA as living costs rise. Thorpe said she retired in 2007 from the water department after 24 years and asked the council to "please consider the COLA for the retirees."

The mayor Pro Tem closed the Citizens Forum and moved into the consent agenda; council did not take immediate action on the COLA during the meeting but the issue was raised publicly for council consideration during budget discussions.