Primary Department: County Administration
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Jesse Dickerman, Interim County Administrator
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Transmittal
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Transmittal by the Office of County Administration of notification of exception handling related to the Harris County Employee Minimum Wage Policy.
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Background and Discussion:
Adopted on March 27, 2025, the Employee Minimum Wage Policy sets a new wage floor of $20/hour for all employees paid directly by Harris County-including full-time, part-time, and temporary staff, regardless of funding source. Future adjustments shall be recommended by the Office of Management and Budget and informed by the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
On June 12, 2025, the Harris County Commissioners Court adopted amendments to the County’s Employee Minimum Wage Policy to allow for employees to request an exemption from the policy. These exception requests are limited to specific circumstances. Due to its limited use, an exception request must be submitted in writing to the department head or designee who will review on a case-by-case basis. Compliance with this amended policy is subject to audit by the Harris County Auditor's Office. This approach to handling exceptions was discussed with HRT, Auditor’s Office, and the County Attorney’s Office.
Expected Impact:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this transmittal.
Alternative Options:
None.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 3. Make our economy more inclusive.
County Strategic Plan Objective: L: Foster more living-wage jobs that ensure worker safety, benefits, and stability across all educational levels.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): L1: Design a set of policies for Harris County to set dynamic living wage rates and ensure essential worker protections and high-quality benefits for all Harris County contracts, employees, and economic agreements.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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3/27/2025 |
462 |
To adopt the circulated amended Harris County Employee Minimum Wage Policy proposal, with a correction to update the employee minimum wage effective May 3, 2025 to $20 per hour. |
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6/12/2025 |
16 |
To adopt amendments to the Harris County Employee Minimum Wage Policy. |
Location: N/A
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Choose an item.
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Anticipated Court Date: 7/10/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Janet Gonzalez, Director, Office of County Administration; Kera Backer, Project Manager, Office of County Administration
Attachments (if applicable): N/A