Minutes 02-10-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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John Roberts said the County can require auditing of the company's records, or an appeals process can be provided for workers. Bonnie Hammersley said Dane County held back a percentage of the contract until the contractor turned in their time records. Commissioner Rich asked if Bonnie Hammersley had seen companies who did not play by the rules. Bonnie Hammersley said there were a couple of times when funds were held back. She said there were sometimes challenges when working with subcontractors. Commissioner Price said the goal is to make sure employees are getting paid a living wage, and to make sure the County is dealing with companies that treat their employees properly. She asked what happens if the County signs a contract, and the company pays a living wage here, but then pays less in other locations. John Roberts said even if the County adopted an ordinance, it would only be applicable in Orange County. Commissioner Price asked if there is a way to find out what contractors pay their employees on other jobs. John Roberts said you can ask, but many contractors will not answer. Commissioner Price asked what the minimum would be. Chair McKee said the minimum would be $12.76. Commissioner Jacobs said this is adjusted every year in the budget process, so it would presumably go up. Commissioner Jacobs said he feels that the questions on the second page are interesting, and he would still like to get answers in writing from the staff. He said this information can be gathered from other jurisdictions and through research. He said he would like a list of the pros and cons of a policy versus a contract or an ordinance. He is not confident that he has sufficient information to answer these very good questions. Commissioner Price said the living wage in this area may be $12.76, but this is different in other locations. She said this is worth investigating. Chair McKee asked if this would fall under the same category as the question of controlling jobs outside of the County's jurisdiction. John Roberts said the living wage would be tied to the work being done in Orange County for Orange County. Commissioner porosin said he would be happy to get more answers to some of these questions, but he feels the County should require that workers here are paid the living wage that Orange County has set. Commissioner porosin said these are contracts that do not have to be bid on so there is much more flexibility in who is chosen. He said the County can choose companies that represent their interests, and the living wage is one of those criteria. He asked if there are any other jurisdictions that have done this, other than Asheville and Durham. Bonnie Hammersley said the City of Durham, Durham County, and Asheville were the three areas listed in North Carolina. Commissioner Rich said it does send a message that the County expects employers who work with them to pay a living wage. She said some of the questions do need to be answered. She questioned whether Commission Dorosin wants this to be a policy or an ordinance. Commissioner porosin said he wants whichever of these options will be most easily enforced and effectively defended in court. Commissioner Rich asked if the County has received a letter from Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) stating that they agree to pay a living wage. She noted that Orange County has provided this letter.