Orange County NC Website
12 <br /> 12 <br /> ordinance to be $26.8 million of Baltimore's $2 billion budget. The Preamble Center analyzed 23 <br /> contracts totaling$19.3 million dollars that had been bid before and after the living wage <br /> ordinance took effect. There was no significant rise in the costs of the contracts. The largest <br /> single contract was for Public Pupil Bus Transportation in the amount of$14.5 million. With the <br /> living wage ordinance, it rose 2.6 percent. Baltimore provided $121,000 for enforcement in the <br /> first year. Appendix 5 is "An Analysis of the Fiscal and Economic Costs of Baltimore City <br /> Ordinance 442", prepared by the Preamble Center for Public Policy. <br /> Due to the preliminary nature, narrow scope, and the type of contracts considered in Baltimore, <br /> little can be gained by using this model to predict how such an ordinance would affect contracts in <br /> Orange County. In addition to the difference in the type of contracts which we have locally, our <br /> economic situation is very different. Less unionization, low unemployment and a very strong <br /> local economy could result in different responses than have been seen in Northeastern urban areas. <br /> In Charts 9 and 10, the Personnel Department estimates the potential monetary impact if a local <br /> ordinance were applied to Orange County temporary and/or permanent employees. For the <br /> purposes of this example, living wage requirements are assumed at $7.50 or$8.50. <br /> Chart 9 <br /> Living Wage Cost Estimate <br /> Orange County Temporary Em to ees <br /> At S 7.50 At$8.50 <br /> Estimated County Cost to Implement $22,500 $45,000 <br /> Employees Affected 39 67 <br /> Departments Affected 15 20 <br /> Chart 10 <br /> Orange Coun Permanent Employees <br /> At S 7.50 At$8.50 <br /> Estimated County Cost to Implement -0- $ 20,000* <br /> Employees Affected -0- 24 <br /> Departments Affected -0- 5 <br /> *Salary adjustment to employees earning below$8.55 only. Does not take into account other salary adjustments <br /> which may be necessary to respond to salary compression arising from realigning the pay plan. <br /> The overall budget impact will depend on how narrowly or broadly the ordinance is applied. In <br /> any case, some staff resources and attorney will need to be budgeted. A more complete analysis <br /> of costs can be developed when the scope and level of a living wage are agreed upon. <br />