Frequently Asked Questions About Living Wage in Ingham County
1. Do you have examples of vendors who are required to pay a "living wage"?
Yes, the County has identified the following services provided by vendors thus far as being required to pay a "living wage" subject to the dollar limits and conditions of the County's Living Wage Policy:
• janitorial
• window cleaning
• security guard
• elevator maintenance
• fire protection
• vehicle repair not covered by a previous warranty
• consultants services such as engineering and architectural
2. Similarly, do you have examples of vendors excluded from paying a "living wage"?
Yes, the following is a list of services provided by vendors that are excluded:
• copier leasing
• utilities
• computer systems
• cell phones
• commission-based such as vendors working at the Fairgrounds
• vending machines
3. Does the living wage rate change often and where can vendors find out what the living wage rate is?
The living wage rate is based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' federal poverty guidelines for a family of four and changes annually. Typically, the federal poverty levels increase from 2-4%. Vendors interested in finding out what the current living wage is can either click on the link above or call the Ingham County Purchasing Department at (517) 676-7222 or visit the Ingham County Purchasing Department's terms and conditions web page. Where applicable, the living wage requirements will be inserted into Request for Proposals.
4. What if a vendor provides a service and a good? How does the vendor know if it is required to pay a living wage?
If the primary purpose of the contract is for the purchase of goods, then the vendor is not required to pay a living wage. However, if the contract is primarily for the furnishing of services to the County, then the vendor is required to pay its employees a living wage.
For example, assume the County needs a new air conditioner for the Courthouse. And assume that the vendor as a special incentive includes an extended one-year warranty with the purchase of the air conditioner. Under this scenario, since the primary goal of the contract is to purchase an air conditioner (a product), living wages are not required even though theCounty purchased an extended one-year warranty (a service). The warranty in this scenariois ancillary; it is not the intended goal of the contract.
Let's assume now, however, that after one year the County decides to purchase anotherextended warranty from the same vendor that provided the original air conditioner. In thiscase, since the purchase of the additional extended warranty is primarily for a service, theliving wages would be required. Of course, these two scenarios are subject to the dollarlimits of the County's Living Wage Policy.
5. Are there any requirements that vendors need to be aware of?
Yes. Applicable vendors are required to post the County's Living Wage Policy in a conspicuousplace next to their other labor laws and policies poster. Contractors must keep accurate records of the names and actual wages paid to each employee providing services under thecontract; the County may request contractors provide such records within five (5) business days to the County.
6. Whom do I call if I have any further questions about the County's Living Wage Policy?
Vendors can call the Ingham County Purchasing Department at (517) 676-7222 Monday throughFriday between 8 AM - 12 PM and 1 PM - 5 PM, excluding holidays and ask to speak with theDirector of Purchasing.
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