Hennepin board votes to raise minimum wage for county employees to $20

Tuesday, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners passed a board action request that will raise the minimum wage for county employees from $15 to $20 an hour.

The new hourly wage will go into effect March 28.

The board action request also authorizes county human resources to review and increase the hourly wage in the future as "employment market data and other economic conditions warrant."

"This increase is a standalone measure that immediately impacts the welfare of our employees and puts more money into the pockets of those on the frontline, who can use it most. This will also help move residents who happen to also be employees off of county assistance," Commissioner Marion Greene said in a statement on social media. "Importantly, this measure is a template for other major employers in the region to do the same — to see what their lowest-paid staff are making, use the biggest tool they have to improve the futures of their employees, and do their part to address equity in the region."