Q&A: Supervisor Rod Sullivan talks about minimum wage ordinance

Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan talks about the countywide minimum wage ordinance — the first of its kind in the state — passed last year by the board.

That ordinance has since brought the countywide minimum wage up from the state/federal rate of $7.25 to a current $9.15 an hour. By 2017, it will reach $10.10.

Why did the Johnson County Board of Supervisors create the county's minimum wage ordinance?

People in Johnson County were working full time, yet still eligible for services. It was clear that people simply were not earning enough. Rather than looking to taxpayers to fix the problem, we felt we needed to go to the source of the problem, that being low wages.

How has the transition gone in Johnson County? Have there been any speed bumps along the way?

We have had very few complaints. There are people for whom this will undoubtedly cause some hardships. We expected as much; we simply felt that it made sense to transfer a bit of that hardship from those least able to handle it to folks who might be able to deal with it better.

How would you describe the feedback so far from the public since the ordinance passed?

There are obviously some folks who are adamantly opposed to this based upon philosophy. In terms of real results, unemployment has remained very low. Inflation has remained very low. The major economic indicators show that this has not hurt the local economy.

More importantly, people are telling us that their lives have improved as a result of more money in their pockets.

What happens after the third increase to $10.10 at the start of 2017?

We will need to decide whether the next increase is according to CPI or some other amount. The Minimum Wage Advisory Committee will review economic indicators and make recommendations, and the Board will consider that feedback in any decisions.

What are your thoughts on the fact that other counties, such as Linn and Polk, now are discussing similar minimum wage ordinances?

I find that encouraging. Poor people everywhere need a break.