Substitute
Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Board of Commissioners - District 6
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): All District Commission Districts
Adopt A Resolution to Raise the Minimum Wage for DeKalb County Employees to a Living Wage
Body
Information Contact: Commissioner Edward “Ted” Terry
Phone Number: 404-371-4909
PURPOSE:
The Governing Authority of DeKalb County to adopt a resolution to raise the minimum wage for DeKalb County employees to a living wage.
NEED/IMPACT:
Before COVID, the Economic Policy Institute released a new Family Budget Calculator which breaks down exactly how much it costs for a family of four -- two adults and two children -- to live in communities across the country. And it turns out, DeKalb families of four need to make a $77,245 per year -- $6,437 per month -- to attain a "modest yet adequate" standard of living.
The current DeKalb County minimum wage of $15 is no longer a “living wage” based on various consumer price indexes. The impact of inflation has drastically eroded the cost of housing, basic needs, food, gas, childcare, and the purchasing power of savings.
When DeKalb County invests in its workers by giving them living wages, workers are likely to spend or save more of their bigger paychecks, and in the process, stimulate the local, and create new jobs within the community in which they live and serve. Additionally, living wage and compensation packages promote long-term employment and reduce the amount of time and money the governing authority spends on training and retraining employees.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Unknown at this time
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
To approve the resolution and authorize the chief executive officer to execute all necessary documents required to raise the minimum wage for DeKalb County employees to a living wage.