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Polk County may take step toward hike in local minimum wage

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April 19th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Polk County Board of Supervisors is expected to form a task force Tuesday that will explore raising the minimum wage. Supervisor John Mauro told The Des Moines Register that, “Something has to change in order for the working people to survive.” But Supervisor Steve Van Oort says the minimum wage is not something county government should address.

In September Johnson County became the first Iowa community to increase the minimum wage above the national rate of $7.25 an hour. The county’s rate will rise in 95-cent increments until it reaches $10.10 in 2017. Cities inside the county have the option of passing an ordinance exempting them from the county rule. Linn County also is exploring the issue.