HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 08-23-2017 1
APPROVED 9/5/2017
MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Special Meeting
August 23, 2017
8:30 a.m.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a special meeting on Wednesday,
August 23, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. at the Whitted Building, 300 W. Tryon St. in Hillsborough,
N.C.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Dorosin and Commissioners Barry
Jacobs, Mark Marcoplos and Penny Rich
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioners Burroughs, McKee and Price.
COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT:
COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: Deputy County Manager Travis Myren and Deputy Clerk
to the Board David Hunt
Chair Dorosin called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Commissioner Marcoplos was recognized and read a proposed proclamation
Recognizing Labor Day 2017 as Living Wage Day in Orange County:
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING LABOR DAY 2017 AS
LIVING WAGE DAY IN ORANGE COUNTY
WHEREAS, chronic poverty is the biggest challenge to sustainable, diverse, and
healthy communities; and
WHEREAS, the minimum wage has not increased in North Carolina beyond the
federally mandated minimum of$7.25 set in 2009, which has lost nearly 10% of its
value due to cost of living increases; and
WHEREAS, the costs of housing, food, child care, and health care have increased
substantially in the eight years since the federal minimum was last raised; and
WHEREAS, many workers in Orange County make less than living wages; and
WHEREAS, a living wage can lift workers out of poverty and towards the middle class;
and
WHEREAS, more workers with higher incomes can afford to live in Orange County and
spend money locally; and
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WHEREAS, employers who pay their workers a living wage report substantially less
turnover, better job performance, and higher levels of positive customer
engagement; and
WHEREAS, Orange County Living Wage has certified 126 employers who voluntarily
pay a living wage and promotes those employers to the community to build a base of
engaged, informed consumers who support living-wage-certified businesses and
nonprofits; and
WHEREAS, Orange County Living Wage plans a month-long campaign in September
2017 to encourage people to do business with living wage certified employers; and
WHEREAS, Labor Day is a national holiday in recognition of the contributions of
workers to our economy; and
WHEREAS, Orange County, in honor of Labor Day, maintains its support of living wage
efforts and businesses that provide a living wage to all their employees;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, a living-wage-
certified employer, does hereby proclaim Labor Day 2017 as Living Wage Day in
Orange County and encourage consumers to support businesses paying their workers
a living wage.
This the 23rd day of August 2017.
Mark Dorosin, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
A motion was made by Commissioner Marcoplos, seconded by Commissioner Rich for
the Board to approve the proclamation Recognizing Labor Day 2017 as Living Wage Day
in Orange County and authorized the Chair to sign the proclamation.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS (Dorosin, Jacobs, Marcoplos, Rich)
This portion of the meeting was adjourned at 8:33 a.m.
Mark Dorosin, Chair
David Hunt
Deputy Clerk to the Board