On October 18, 2017, the City Commission approved increases to the wage rate paid by the City Contractors to their employees in the following phase-in approach:

•  Effective January 1, 2018, covered employees must be paid a living wage rate of no less than $ 11.62 per hour with health care benefits of at least $2.26 per hour, or a living wage rate of no less than $ 13.88 per hour without health care benefits.

• Effective January 1, 2019, covered employees must be paid a living wage rate of no less    than $ 11.70 per hour with health care benefits of at least $ 2.74 per hour, or a living wage rate of no less than $ 14.44 per hour without health care benefits.

• Effective January 1, 2020, covered employees must be paid a living wage rate of no less than $ 11.78 per hour with health care benefits of at least $ 3.22 per hour, or a living wage rate of no less than $ 15.00 without health care benefits.

On May 16, 2018, the City Commission approved Resolution No. 2018-30299 reaffirming the living wage increase, effective January 1, 2019, of $11.70 per hour with health care benefits of at least $2.74 per hour, or a living wage rate of no less than $ 14.44 per hour without health care benefits. 

While the rates that are to be effective January 1, 2020 were previously approved on October 18, 2017, the City Commission's past practice has been to consider the living wage rates on an annual basis, despite any previously approved rates.

The Administration seeks guidance from the Finance and City-Wide Projects Committee on the living wage and health care benefit rates that are to become effective January 1, 2020.