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The Legislature’s Government Operations Committee, meeting Tuesday, heard an update from County Administrator Joe Mareane on the County Living Wage study, and recommended that the Legislature appropriate funding from contingent fund to enable one agency to return to being a living wage employer.

The Legislature last year encouraged the County Administrator to begin implementing procedures recommended by the work group.  As part of the 2014 budget process, the Legislature directed that $100,000 from the 2014 Contingency Account be held aside for potential support of efforts to increase the level of attainment of the living wage goal by contractors providing services to the County.

Based on his review of service contract activity through the end of last month, the County Administrator recommended providing $16,500 in supplemental funding to the County Office for the Aging to, in turn, enable Foodnet (Meals on Wheels) to achieve the living wage standard for all employees, a recommendation supported by the committee.  Mareane noted that Foodnet traditionally had been a living wage employer, but could not accommodate the May 2013 8% increase in the Alternatives Federal Credit Union Living Wage standard ($12.62 per hour) in light of cuts in the agency’s federal revenues.

The recommendation was accepted by a 3-2 vote—Legislators Dooley Kiefer, Mike Sigler, and Chair Nathan Shinagawa voting in favor; Legislators Dan Klein and Dave McKenna dissenting.  Mr. Klein said he does not think this approach is the best way to address the issue of dealing with agencies that do not provide the living wage.  Mr. Sigler called it a major issue that should be addressed by the full Legislature.

The matter next goes to the Legislature’s budget committee, before proceeding to the full Legislature May 6.

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