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 the
    County purchased an extended one-year warranty (a service). The warranty in this scenario
    is ancillary; it is not the intended goal of the contract.

    Let's assume now, however, that after one year the County decides to purchase another
    extended warranty from the same vendor that provided the original air conditioner. In this
    case, since the purchase of the additional extended warranty is primarily for a service, the
    living wages would be required. Of course, these two scenarios are subject to the dollar
    limits 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 conspicuous
    place 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 the
    contract; 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 through
    Friday between 8 AM - 12 PM and 1 PM - 5 PM, excluding holidays and ask to speak with the
    Director of Purchasing.

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