SUBJECT:
Title
Regional Minimum Wage Update
Body
DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
Human Resources
Department
PRESENTER(S): Stephanie Pitts-Noggle, Economic Development Manager
James Everett, Development, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager
First Name Last Name, Title
TIME ESTIMATE: 60 minutes
only required for non-consent items
POLICY ISSUES:
Does Council see value in considering a minimum wage for incorporated Erie that is higher than the State’s minimum wage, and does Council want staff to devote additional time and effort to community engagement necessary to satisfy both the legal requirements and community expectations to implement a local minimum wage.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Given Erie’s unique geographical position in two counties and on the eastern edge of the business area near Boulder, significant differences from other municipalities participating in the regional working group, and the results from both the community engagement and economic analysis, staff recommends against devoting additional staff time to this effort at this time. Staff recommends continuing initiatives the Town is already undertaking to promote economic equity, including the areas of affordable housing, small business support, and strengthening Erie’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
In August 2023, municipalities across Boulder County formed a working group to consider adopting an increase to the regional minimum wage. Staff from five municipalities-Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette, Boulder, and Erie-joined a Minimum Wage Engagement Team and a Minimum Wage Economic Analysis Scoping Team. The former led community engagement efforts across the five municipalities, while the latter brought forward an IGA to engage a consultant, ECOnorthwest, to conduct an economic analysis on the impacts of an increased minimum wage.
In this presentation, staff will share the results of the community engagement efforts, and ECOnorthwest will present their final economic analysis. Council will decide whether staff should devote additional time and effort to necessary community engagement efforts, as required by the State legislation to adopt a higher local minimum wage.
COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
ü Engaged and Diverse Community
ü Prosperous Economy
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Minimum Wage Presentation
2. Regional Minimum Wage Engagement Summary
3. Regional Minimum Wage Economic Analysis
4. Minimum Wage Economic Analysis Erie Summary