Johnson County takes barbs on communicating wage rules

IOWA CITY - In the first joint meeting of Johnson County and its local governments since the county set a higher minimum wage, several elected officials said Monday they support the effort but still have questions just as the rules are set to kick in.

The county ordinance will raise the local minimum wage from $7.25 an hour in 95-cent increments, reaching $10,10 by 2017. The first phase starts in two weeks unless cities in the county vote otherwise.

Perhaps the most significant question is whether the county ordinance is even legal. The questions has never been tested before in Iowa appeals courts.

Iowa City is among the communities that have voted to implement at least the first phase of the county ordinance, but with questions.

'The two big questions marks from our council was the legal question, which will be worked out one way or another, and secondly, is what we perceive as some form of economic analysis on the impact of the county's minimum wage,” said Mayor Matt Hayek.

The Iowa City Council said it would undertake its own comprehensive economic analysis.

During Monday's meeting, held at the Iowa City Community School District Educational Services Center, officials with the Johnson County Board of Supervisors fielded questions from area council members and mayors.

While many present said they support a higher minimum wage, several expressed chagrin over a lack of communication before the county announced it a - just after the last joint meeting.

'I applaud the county for putting forth the ordinance,” said Coralville City Council member Mitch Gross. 'It's disheartening to think about, we had this meeting four months ago and this came up two days later. ... I think improved communication would help.”

North Liberty Mayor Amy Nielsen said she would like to see additional communication from the county to the businesses that soon will be affected once the ordinance's first 95-cent increase takes place Nov. 1.

'They haven't heard anything from the county yet notifying them that this new wage is going to be in effect ... There's a lot of questions,” she said. 'It has too many implications on people to just sit back.”

Supervisors approved the ordinance this year with a unanimous vote. Board Chairman Pat Harney said the supervisors hope the ordinance helps address the county's high cost of living and poverty rate.

'Will the wage cure all? No, but we're certainly trying to alleviate some of those issues,” he said.

The county plans to create a committee to use the Consumer Price Index in determining any future annual increases after the ordinance gets phased in.

'It is pegged to (the CPI), but the committee's charge essentially is to review what that would be and advise based on whatever factors they feel should come into play,” Supervisor Rod Sullivan said.

The ordinance applies throughout Johnson County except in cities that vote otherwise.

Councils in Iowa City and North Liberty have agreed to let the first increase take place, but both are seeking additional data. Coralville has not voted on the ordinance, but seems poised to let it ride.

Three of the county's smaller communities are heading in the opposite direction.

Solon and Shueyville have passed counter ordinances to stick with the state wage.

Swisher passed the first reading to do the same and will take up the second - and possibly third - reading Oct. 26.

Tiffin City Administrator Doug Boldt said the Tiffin City Council appears split on the issue following an Oct. 14 work session discussion. City staff are collecting additional data to bring back to the council for a meeting later this month.