The Milwaukee Common Council last week adopted an ordinance that requires developers that receive $1 million or more in city assistance, typically tax incremental financing, to pay workers "prevailing wages." Prevailing wages are determined by surveys done by the state. In addition, the ordinance requires developers receiving more than $1 million in city assistance to have 40 percent of worker hours performed by unemployed or low income city residents.
The ordinance was approved by a 8-7 vote by aldermen. Voting in favor were: Ashanti Hamilton, Joe Davis, Nik Kovac, Robert Bauman, Milele Coggs, Willie Wade, Michael Murphy and Tony Zielinski. Voting against were: James Bohl, Robert Donovan, Robert Puente, Joe Dudzik, James Witkowiak, Terry Witkowski and Willie Hines.
Mayor Tom Barrett supports the ordinance.
Several developers opposed the ordinance saying it will add costs to development in the city.
