The nation has experienced significant inflation since 2021, and Ulster County has seen an increase in area median income and housing prices. According to MIT’s living wage calculator Ulster County’s living wage should currently be $24.97.
The County Comptroller recommends that the Legislature undertake a review of the Living Wage Act to determine whether the Act should be sunset or adjusted considering that Ulster County staff wages for certain grades and titles fall below the MIT living wage rate for the County.
“Actions like the Living Wage Act are only useful if they are updated and enforced,” said Comptroller March Gallagher. “I am concerned that without adjustment the Living Wage Act may confuse vendors with respect to the upcoming changes to the legally mandated minimum wage. Furthermore, as this MIT calculator shows, the cost of living in Ulster County has jumped significantly. Given changes to minimum wage, and current collective bargaining efforts, it may make sense to sunset the Act while reviewing other ways to address inequity and cost of living issues that will not create an undue burden on property taxpayers.”