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In‑home caregivers urge Amador supervisors to support higher IHSS pay
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Summary
Several in‑home caregivers told the Board of Supervisors that current IHSS pay and monthly hours are insufficient to meet rising living costs and care needs, urging the county to seek relief during contract negotiations.
Several in‑home care providers addressed the Amador County Board of Supervisors during public comment, asking officials to press for higher pay for IHSS (In‑Home Supportive Services) providers.
Sarah Colson, an in‑home caregiver and single mother, described caring for two clients — including her daughter who has special needs — and said "my paychecks just don't last" as costs rise and she must work multiple jobs. Amber Kuntz said a long‑time client she helps is bedridden and "needs 24/7 care, but only gets 105 hours a month, which is not very much time at all," and added that low IHSS pay forces caregivers to work overtime or move into their clients' homes to make ends meet. IHSS recipient Wim Hof Messer described serious health conditions that make him reliant on a single caregiver and asked the board to consider raises to help clients retain dependable care.
The board did not take immediate action during the meeting but the comments were given in the context of upcoming contract discussions and the county's ongoing budget and staffing conversations. Supervisors heard repeated appeals that higher pay could reduce caregiver turnover and help residents remain in home‑based care rather than institutional settings.
What happens next: The public comment was recorded for the board’s consideration; speakers asked the board to refer matters to staff and negotiators as part of future budget or contract work. The board did not adopt a motion on caregiver pay at this meeting.
