Title
Living Wages for City Employees (B)
Discussion of the City’s Living Wage.
Explanation
On July 22, 2014 during a special meeting of the City Commission related to the budget, the City Commission referred to the Legislative and Organizational Policy Committee a discussion of the City’s Living Wage. The referral was centered around wage increases or bonuses for low-wage employees.
In March 2003, the City Commission adopted Ordinance Number 020663 creating Article IX of Chapter 2, establishing a living wage requirement for certain employees of contractors providing selected services to the City. The ordinance applies to all contractors or subcontractors who employ 50 or more persons and who provide covered services purchased by the City under a single contract over $100,000. The living wage specified in the ordinance was set at $8.70/hour for those offering health benefits and $9.95/hour for those not offering health benefits. The living wage is based on the federal poverty guidelines for a family of four as determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and published in the Federal Register. The ordinance requires an adjustment annually in accordance with publication of the new federal poverty guidelines. The current living wage rate is $11.6827/hour (health benefit wage) and $12.93/hour (non-health benefit wage).
Fiscal Note
There is no fiscal impact for this discussion.
Recommendation
The Legislative and Organizational Policy Committee members discuss the City’s Living Wage.