Economic Vitality Committee Agenda and Packet 2023 08 18

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"Coming out of a global pandemic, we saw folks in so much hurt. I believe that residents are still hurting," Boulder County Commissioner Marta Loachamin said, and a minimum -wage increase is one way to help ease some of the economic pain. "We heard all of this stuff during the pandemic about essential workers and how critical these people are to our society and our community. We saw signs and banners, and people risked their lives to work at the grocery store or to be janitors or to do childcare services," Boulder County Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann said. "Their reward is that we still haven't increased their wages:' In 2019, state lawmakers passed HB19-1210, legislation that allows local cities and counties to increase their minimum wage beyond the state mandate, which for 2023 is $13.65. Increases can only be implemented on Jan. 1 of any given year and are capped at 15% each year. Worker -advocacy group Boulder Area Labor Council's goal is to boost the minimum wage throughout Boulder County, including in cities and towns, to $25 by 2028. "Boulder County can do better to support under -paid workers," said Morgan Royal with the Boulder County Self-sufficiency Wage Coalition, a labor council -affiliated group. "We hope that Boulder County and municipalities across the county can pass a minimum wage that is inline with the needs of workers." Boulder Chamber president John Tayer told BizWest that discussions with municipal leaders have led the business community to believe that potential minimum -wage hikes in cities and towns would likely go into effect in 2025. Meanwhile, the county has its sights set on Jan. 1, 2024. The county said Friday that the commissioners will hold a public hearing on the issue on Nov. 2. In advance of the hearing, Boulder County officials are planning a town hall on Oct. 12 in Niwot. In response to criticism that Boulder County leaders are fast -tracking a decision on the wage increase, Loachamin said, "To me, it doesn't seem quick." County staff and officials are capable of fully studying the issue and communicating with stakeholders in the remaining months of 2023, she said. Agenda Packet P. 20