In a groundbreaking decision by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, major expansions were approved for the county's Living Wage ordinance. These amendments are set to quickly impact many workers, ensuring they receive a viable wage and receive adequate counterbalancing benefits, such as paid time off.
According to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, the ordinance now covers a wider variety of workers, increasing the number of people protected by the policy. For the first time, all employers under the ordinance's purview are required to grant employees a minimum of one hour of paid time off for every 20 hours worked, amounting to a potential 12 paid days off annually.
These wide-ranging amendments have ramifications for employers conducting business on county-owned property, including tenants and concessionaires at Sonoma County Fairgrounds, the Charles Schulz-Sonoma County Airport, and the county's seven veterans memorial buildings.
Board of Supervisors Chair Chris Coursey stated that the entire county would benefit from these changes. "Our entire county benefits when we reduce poverty and raise the standard of living for our lowest-paid workers," he said. "These changes will increase the number of workers who are protected by the Living Wage ordinance while ensuring they have access to paid time off in case they get sick or need to spend time away from work."
Since its inception in 2016, the Living Wage ordinance has aimed to promote a viable wage for local residents whose jobs are tied to county contracts. It currently requires covered employers to pay workers a minimum of $17.65 an hour, separate from the state minimum wage, which rose to $15.50 an hour at the start of 2023.
The recent revisions include provisions for employers contributing to their workers' health care or retirement benefits. Employers can receive credits of $1.50 or $3 off the hourly rate based on their contribution to one or both of those respective benefits.
Initially, the ordinance applied to the individuals employed directly by the county government, and workers in private companies and nonprofits contracting with the County of Sonoma. It generally covered private companies with six or more employees that supplied $25,000 or more in annual contracted services to the county, along with nonprofits with more than 25 employees that provided over $50,000 in annual services to the county.
Now, the recent expansion by the Board of Supervisors has broadened the ordinance to cover employers on county-owned property that generate more than $350,000 in annual gross receipts from all sources and employ more than 25 workers. This move is seen as a significant victory for workers fighting to quickly increase their earnings and access to benefits.
The board also introduced new measures to the ordinance for part-time workers, requiring covered employers to actively strive to increase their hours rather pushing to hire additional part-time employees. Furthermore, the board established incentives for covered employers to retain existing workers during contract transitions in an effort to maintain stability for employees.
To adjust the living wage rate alongside inflation, the board approved an automatic increase each July 1st, tied to the U.S. Labor Department’s consumer price index for all urban consumers. At least every four years, the hourly rate will also be reviewed to determine if further adjustments are necessary, with July 2024 set as the initial review period.
