On October 12, 1999, the Court of Common Council passed the Living Wage Ordinance.  The purpose of the Living Wage Ordinance is to provide service workers, who are employed for work performed in execution of service contracts and development projects, with a wage rate that allows employees to become self-supporting.

Effective July 1, 2008, the Living Wage for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 will be $11.21 per hour.  This is based on one hundred and ten percent of the federal poverty level for a family of four, if health benefits  are provided to the employee.  Health benefits, according to the Ordinance, mean paid comprehensive family medical coverage which does not require the employee to contribute more than 3% of their annual wages toward the payment of the health plan.  If health benefits are not provided  to the employee, the employer must pay $5.39 per hour in lieu of health benefits , this is based on the average cost of employer group health insurance premiums.

The Living Wage for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 will be $11.21.  If health benefits are not provided to the employee, the employer must pay the Living Wage of $16.60.

The Living Wage for Fiscal Year 2009-2010 will be $11.66.  If health benefits are not provided to the employee, the employer must pay the Living Wage of $17.78.

The Office of Human Relations is responsible for the enforcement of the Living Wage Ordinance.