Wage Plan Opposed

Business leaders across Ventura County are gearing up to challenge a minimum-wage ordinance that supervisors appear poised to pass at Tuesday’s meeting.

More than a dozen chamber of commerce members from such areas as Ventura, Oxnard and Simi Valley said they plan to voice opposition to the so-called “living wage” ordinance that would require companies contracting with the county government to pay employees at least $8 an hour with health benefits, or $10 an hour without benefits.

The change would mean a dramatic increase in costs for business owners and ultimately hurt low-skilled workers, chamber members say.

“If you look at this issue from a business standpoint, arbitrarily raising rates might force me to hire fewer people just to stay cost-competitive,” said Marv King, chairman of the Greater Oxnard Chamber of Commerce. “That’s why these type of issues ought to be set by the marketplace.”

Supervisors were to vote on the issue last month but postponed the matter at the request of chamber representatives, who were at a conference in Sacramento. Chamber members wanted a chance to respond to “living wage” advocates before supervisors cast their votes.

“This is a very big business issue,” said Zoe Taylor, president and executive officer of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce. “And there will be a significant impact on those contracting with the county.”

Chamber members met Friday morning to discuss their concerns. Chief among them, Taylor said, is a softening economy and skyrocketing energy prices, which are already driving up expenses for local business owners.

Supervisors John Flynn, Steve Bennett and Kathy Long support the plan. But chamber speakers hope they can at least persuade supervisors to put off approving the ordinance until June budget negotiations.

Chief Administrative Officer Johnny Johnston has also recommended that supervisors wait before deciding on a plan that county staff members estimate could cost the government an additional $1.2 million annually in higher contract costs.

Advocates of the wage ordinance have sharply criticized the $1.2-million estimate as too high.