Title
Living Wage Increase Effective April 30, 2026
Memorandum
As required by the City Ordinance, Chapter 23, Section 1:815 subsection (3), the amount of living wage is adjusted annually by a percentage equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the federal poverty guidelines as published by the US Department of Health and Human Services. We have examined the federal poverty guidelines for 2026 and we find that there is a 1.98% increase over last year for an average family size of one.
Federal Poverty Guidelines:
The Poverty Level for a family of one for 2025 is $15,650
The Poverty Level for a family of one for 2026 is $15,960 an increase of 1.98%.
Living Wage Rate change from 2025 to 2026:
2025
$17.08/hour for those employers paying health insurance
$19.04/hour for those employers NOT paying health insurance
2026
$17.42/hour for those employers paying health insurance
$19.42/hour for those employers NOT paying health insurance
The Procurement Unit will provide service providers with an updated Living Wage poster and compliance form. Once service providers remit forms to the Procurement Unit, their new Living Wage compliance forms will be updated in the financial system.
In the last year, the City has not received any complaints regarding pay practices for possible violation of the City Living Wage Ordinance.
Staff
Prepared by: Colin Spencer, Purchasing Manager
Reviewed by: Marti Praschan, Chief Financial Officer
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator