Harris County contract workers will have to wait until at least October for the higher minimum wage policy to take effect instead of this summer after Harris County commissioners unanimously approved pushing the implementation dates back on June 12 to ensure what they’re calling a “smooth and successful” transition.

The county’s employee minimum wage policy of at least $20 per hour and $21.64 per hour for contractors was originally passed March 27 and was expected to begin in the summer.

The impact

Officials with the Houston Contractors Association said in a statement they support moving the policy’s start date, but also have concerns about how this policy will affect civil construction projects and small subcontractors who are already facing what they called tight margins.

“While delaying implementation will not solve those issues, it will provide more time to prepare and adjust. We’re always open to working with Harris County to ensure important infrastructure work gets done without putting too much strain on the contractors who help build it,” the statement reads.

What they’re saying

The decision to move wage increases to October was suggested by commissioners in order to align with decisions surrounding the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26 budget. Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said one of the issues with the new wage policy for contracted workers was confusion surrounding what is and isn’t covered by the wage, which he said, could cause issues with the county’s purchasing department.

“I do support that we lead in the area of wages,” Ramsey said, “but I think it’s important also that we understand the impacts.”

Ramsey said if the new wage policy is implemented, construction costs in the county will increase by 35%.

“When we implement on that certain date, we know and understand clearly what the consequences are and the unintended consequences,” he said.

On the other hand

Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said the county will collaborate with partners to execute the new minimum wage policy and retain what she called the best workers in the region.

“We should not have workers who are working on Harris County projects to have to work multiple jobs to pay rent, to buy groceries, to support their families,” Briones said. “Your taxpayer dollars that are paying for these county projects, we want to make sure that the very same taxpayers are being able to live here in Harris County without undue burdens.”