Phoenix Council Raises City Employee Minimum Wage To $15

PHOENIX, AZ — The Phoenix City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to raise the minimum wage for city employees to $15 per hour. The wage hike is expected to affect about 150 city employees whose wages are now under $15.

"Currently, 153 hardworking, full-time employees who serve our community every day such as park groundskeepers, solid waste workers, youth counselors, police aides, and more will be positively impacted by this change," said Councilman Michael Nowakowski in a statement.

The change takes effect May 1. Arizona's current state minimum wage is $11 per hour, according to the Industrial Commission of Arizona.

"To be the best city we can, we must not only provide the best services for our community but also pay our employees fair living wages for the work they do," Nowakowski said.

The AP reported the wage hike will cost the city about $525,000 annually.

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