ASHEVILLE (AP) — Asheville may expand a policy requiring companies with city contracts to pay workers a living wage allowing them to make ends meet.
The Asheville Citizen-Times reports the city council was set to vote Tuesday on applying the policy to municipal contracts of up to $200,000. The rule now effects contracts worth up to $90,000.
The rule applies to contractors which provide the city with services ranging from landscaping to attorneys. State bidding laws prevent contractors in fields such as construction from falling under the rule.
The city policy defines a living wage as at least $9.85 an hour with benefits such as health insurance, or $11.35 without benefits.
City administrative services manager Brenda Mills says the rule has caused taxpayer costs to increase by about 10 percent.