It took a good deal of jawing, maneuvering, and bargaining back-and-forth, but the Shelby County Commission ultimately passed a Living Wage Ordinance Monday.
The vote was seven ayes, four nays, and one recusal. What the ordinance does is mandate a minimum wage of $10.02 (with benefits) or $12.01 (without benefits) for employees of county government as well as “of businesses receiving service contracts” from county government.
The ordinance, sponsored by Commissioner Steve Mulroy, was amended by its author to exclude locally owned small businesses employing fewer than ten employees.
“That was he best way to ensure passage. It’s not perfect, not ideal, but it was a matter of being realistic and getting something done,” Mulroy said.
The measure requires only the signature of county mayor A C Wharton to become law.
–j.b.
