TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Supervisor Williams
MEETING DATE: March 12, 2024
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Supervisor Williams
PHONE:
707-463-4441
ITEM TYPE: Regular Agenda
TIME ALLOCATED FOR ITEM: 45 Minutes
AGENDA TITLE:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Strategies to Bring All County Wages and In Home Supportive Services to a Minimum of Twenty Dollars Per Hour (Continued from February 27th, 2024)
(Sponsor: Supervisor Williams)
End
RECOMMENDED ACTION/MOTION:
recommendation
Direct staff based on discussion regarding strategies, tradeoffs, collaboration and advocacy for securing a minimum of twenty dollars per hour for all county workers and In Home Supportive Services caregivers.
End
PREVIOUS BOARD/BOARD COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The item was previously agendized for February 27th, but was continued pursuant to Rule 5 of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Rules of Procedure.
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
When governments pay low wages, it creates a cascade of problems that affect the government itself, society, and individuals. For the government, recruitment and retention suffer. Training costs increase with resulting turnover. Poor morale and productivity reduce efficiency and the return on money spent. Inequality and poverty are escalated for society with increased dependence on government assistance. For the individual worker, the financial stress develops from their inability to meet basic needs such as housing, healthcare, and education for themselves and their families. Lower wages in the public sector may discourage individuals from pursuing careers in these areas, limiting their professional growth and development opportunities.
In Home Supportive Service caregivers are employees of the care receiver, with the state passing funds through the county. The county has the option to augment the poverty-level hourly rate paid by the state, but the county does not have a funding source. In the past, Supervisors have indicated a des...
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