Title
Discussion of Data Needs and Approach to Studying Business, Non-profit, and Worker Profiles to Inform Discussion on Minimum Wage
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Discussion
City Manager Recommendation:
Discussion of data needs and approach to studying business, non-profit, and worker profiles to inform discussion on minimum wage.
Report
Issue:
Discussion of data needs and approach to studying business, non-profit, and worker profiles to inform discussion on minimum wage.
Staff Contact:
Debbie Sullivan, Administrative Service Director, 360.753.8499
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director, 360.753.8591
Steve Hall, City Manager, 360.753.8370
Presenter(s):
Debbie Sullivan, Administrative Service Director
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director
Steve Hall, City Manager
Background and Analysis:
At its February meeting the Finance Committee discussed wage impacts and other cost factors related to business and nonprofit organizations in the City. It also discussed the plight of low wage workers, the many factors that make it difficult to afford rising costs in Olympia along with increasing operating costs facing locally-owned businesses and nonprofits.
The Committee concluded that increasing the City’s understanding of local businesses and nonprofits serves a multitude of purposes. Olympia lacks data and needs a better understanding on employer size, employees, revenues, profitability, competitive environment, and current impacts and factors that affect the vitality of the local economy.
The Committee agreed that a first step, before any policy initiatives are developed, is to increase the City’s understanding of these aspects of businesses and nonprofits so that any policy initiatives, such as minimum wage, can be better assessed to avoid unintended impacts. The City has some information about employers, wages, gross revenues and more through various sources such as B&O tax collection, business licensing information, and census data. However some of the information is not fully complete due to being aggregated with County level information or may contain other various data gaps.
Staff will brief the Committee on the available data, areas we need to develop, and a proposal for how to collect and analyze the data.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
A strong and vital local economy is important to supporting fair and livable wages for all Olympians. The economic system that includes these elements is complex and affects nearly everyone in the community
Options:
1. Discuss data needs and approach to obtaining and analyzing the information.
2. Direct staff to take a different approach to studying and analyzing the business, nonprofit, and worker profile.
Financial Impact:
None
Attachments:
None