By: Austin Sanders – June 24, 2022 – The Austin Chronicle
City Council approved a resolution on June 16 that could increase the minimum wage paid to all city of Austin employees from $15 per hour to $22 per hour. The resolution sponsored by Council Member Vanessa Fuentes “acknowledges the dire staffing crisis in the city” and that stagnant wages have had an impact on the city’s ability to “retain and recruit experienced employees.” Data from the Human Resources Department shows that from May 8, 2021, through May 21, 2022, the vacancy rate among all civilian city positions has been 15.7%. The peak vacancy rate this year was 17.5%; last year, it was 12.3%, and the year before that it was 11.5%. (Read More)