RALEIGH --- Seventy-five Wake County employees will see their pay increased starting next month, after the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously today during its regular meeting to adopt a living wage.

A living wage allows people to meet their basic needs and maintain a safe, decent standard of living within their community, according to a county press release.

The Board increased the minimum wage paid to employees to $13.50 an hour and established a minimum wage of $28,080.

“Our action today creates the most robust living wage policy of any county in the state,” said Commissioner Matt Calabria who represents District 2. “I am proud to be part of a board that values its employees and wants to make important policy changes to help improve their quality of life.”

Commissioner Calabria requested that staff research the feasibility of instituting a living wage in Wake County and bring the results of their evaluation before the board for consideration.

The board’s vote today officially amended the county’s personnel ordinance to institute a living wage for county employees who work more than 1,040 regularly scheduled hours annually. Temporary employees are not eligible for the living wage, because they work less than 1,040 hours each year.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, no more than 30 percent of a person’s gross income should be spent on housing.