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ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> Action Agenda <br /> item No. 01—b <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: December 1, 1997 <br /> SUBJECT: Living Wage Ordinance <br /> DEPARTMENT: PURCHASING AND Public Hearing: Yes: No: <br /> CENTRAL SERVICES Budget Amendment Reqd? Yes No <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Pam Jones, ext. 2650 <br /> Report; May, 1997 Ted Abernathy, ext. 2325 <br /> Memorandum; September, 1997 <br /> Telephone Number- <br /> Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> Chapel Hill 967-9251 <br /> Mebane 227-2031 <br /> Durham 688-7331 <br /> PURPOSE: To provide an update and receive direction from the Board regarding <br /> specifics of a living wage ordinance for Orange County. <br /> BACKGROUND: In February, 1997, the Orange County Greens requested that the <br /> Orange County Commissioners develop a living wage ordinance for the County. The <br /> Board of County Commissioners directed the County Manager and the Economic <br /> Development Commission to develop a report on the appropriate nature, scope and <br /> practical implementation of a living wage ordinance. <br /> The report provided a brief history of living wage ordinances in the United States. It <br /> then discussed options for application of the ordinance and posed seven clarifying <br /> questions for the Board to consider. Next, four methods for establishing a specific living <br /> wage level were provided. Finally, management, enforcement, and impact were <br /> examined. <br /> This Fall, the staff received input from Commissioners regarding components each felt <br /> were appropriate to be included in a County ordinance. Based on the information <br /> received the following parameters have been developed as a starting point to discussing <br /> specifics for the ordinance. <br /> 1. What should be covered by the ordinance? All County contracts in <br /> excess of $25,000, including legal, accounting and construction contracts should be <br /> included. Units of State and local government should be excluded, including University <br /> contracts. Contracts with non-profits may be phased in, however, the staff should <br /> survey our non-profit grantees to determine the impact of an ordinance first. Purchases <br />