Johnson County supervisors approve second vote on minimum wage ordinance

IOWA CITY - The proposed minimum wage ordinance for Johnson County has passed its second reading by the Board of Supervisors.

On Thursday, the board again unanimously voted to pass the ordinance, which aims to bring the minimum wage up by 95 cents each year until reaching $10.10 an hour in 2017, where additional adjustments will be considered on an annual basis.

The minimum wage ordinance requires one more reading to pass.

Earlier this month, County Attorney Janet Lyness said the county had the legal authority to pass the ordinance, but it could come down to a lawsuit before anyone knows for certain.

If it passes the next reading, the ordinance will begin the first phase up November 1. Anybody who works in the county will be subject to the new minimum wage, but state and federal employees will likely adhere to their own governing bodies.