Living wage ordinance offers raises for Raleigh employees

The change, which will take effect in July with the the 2017-18 city budget, will affect 143 city workers, including parking enforcement staffers, maintenance workers and equipment operators. The policy sets the living wage for Raleigh at $13.76 an hour, or $28,621 a year, which is almost a 15 percent more than the city's current minimum full-time rate of $12.01 an hour, or $24,991 a year.

The raises are expected to cost about $500,000 a year.

"Establishing a living wage gives us the ability to attract and retain employees who are committed to public service, who will help us achieve our goals and make Raleigh such a wonderful place to live, work and play," Human Resources Director Steve Jones said in a statement. "This is a movement that has been growing and developing within local governments across the nation. The council’s action is a big step forward."

More than 140 municipalities across the country have adopted a living wage policy, including more than 10 in North Carolina, officials said.