Minutes 11-17-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Rich said there is a lot of money spent on larger projects yet the County cannot tell these contractors to pay a living wage; but this requirement can be made for smaller contractors. John Roberts said the jail is being built with a Construction Manager at Risk (CMR), which is a request for qualifications process rather than a bid procedure. Commissioner Rich said it seems that all cannot be given a fair living wage because of the State. John Roberts said in 2013, the City of Asheville had a living wage policy that applied to contracts under $30,000, which they intended to expand to all contracts. He said the State implemented the restrictions at this time. Commissioner Pelissier asked Travis Myren if he could provide more analysis and the implications for the non-profits. She said many non-profit agencies provide invaluable services. She asked if it is possible to know how many non-profits pay a living wage. Travis Myren said most of the living wage policies address those that are working on a County contract. Commissioner Pelissier said this could create issues for a non-profit. Commissioner Burroughs asked if Commissioner Pelissier is referring to non-profits being given grants or contracted funds. Commissioner Pelissier said she was referred to the Outside Agency Process. Travis Myren said some living wage policies apply to grants but the Board could choose to change this. Commissioner Burroughs said non-profits should be paying a living wage and the policy should be extended to them as well. Commissioner Jacobs expressed thanks for the clear and in depth analysis. He said he had given John Roberts a 1998 BOCC document which shows Orange County has been a leader in this area for a long time. Commissioner Jacobs said the key component of any Master Aging Plan is aging in place, and that requires in home healthcare. He said these providers may not be the most educated people but they provide an invaluable service. He said if living wage policies are applied to non-profits it will only be for the funds that are connected to the County, not the non- profit's entire budget. Commissioner Dorosin urged the Board to pursue this policy. He said the two metrics come out one cent a part. He said service contracts should be included in the policy. He said the question about non-profits needs to be more nuanced and giving grants is different from contracts. He asked if it is known how the Board's colleagues, such as the ABC Commission, OWASA, and the Sportsplex, are handling this issue. He asked if staff could follow up and get status reports. Commissioner Dorosin said the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) has a $2 million surplus and is the one elected body that is not paying a living wage. He said the County should be working encouraging CHCCS to pursue paying a living wage. Commissioner Rich said OWASA was certified as a living wage employer. Commissioner Rich said she does not think monies to pay a living wage should come from a reserve fund. Commissioner Dorosin said all public employees should receive medical benefits, retirement, etc. Chair McKee said it should be noted that even with the living wage one does not have much more than subsistence income. He said considering the cost of living in Orange County, a $12.76 per hour wage allows one to just get by. He said is very supportive of this but has extreme reservations about carving out exemptions.