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Burien council adopts ordinance consolidating city wage rules under voter initiative
Summary
The Burien City Council voted to repeal a council-adopted minimum-wage code and consolidate wage rules under a voter initiative (BMC chapter 5.16), authorizing staff to issue administrative rules to implement the measure. The ordinance passed 4-3 after council debate about small-business impacts and enforcement.
The Burien City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 8-92 on May 18, 2026, repealing the council-adopted minimum-wage code (BMC chapter 5.15) and directing staff to implement the voter-approved wage framework codified at BMC chapter 5.16. The ordinance also authorizes the city to draft administrative rules to clarify implementation and enforcement.
Outside counsel told the council the proposed ordinance would simplify Buriens code by relying on the initiative language and by allowing staff to prepare implementing rules. Council Member Sam Mendez moved adoption; the motion was seconded and put to a roll-call vote.
Deputy Mayor Hugo Garcia, who supported the measure, said the change honors voters and creates clarity for workers and employers: "The voters of the city spoke clearly when they approved initiative 1. They chose a wage floor tied to regional standards," he said, urging prompt publication of administrative detail so employers and employees know what to expect.
Opponents warned of economic stress on small, brick-and-mortar and immigrant-owned businesses. Council Member Kevin Schilling and others urged caution and asked council colleagues to engage directly with affected business owners after the vote. Council Member Linda Akey, who announced her resignation earlier in the meeting, also expressed concern about local business impacts.
The final recorded tally given on the dais was 4 in favor (Council Member Sam Mendez; Deputy Mayor Hugo Garcia; Mayor Sarah Moore; Council Member Rocco DeVito) and 3 opposed (Council Members Linda Akey, Kevin Schilling and Alex Andrade). Council documents state the ordinance will take effect according to the timeline required by the initiative and accompanying administrative rules; staff said they are preparing outreach materials and web guidance for affected employers and employees.
The city attorney reminded the council that litigation related to the initiative remains pending and that staff would provide further detail about enforcement mechanisms in the administrative-rule process.
Next steps: staff said it will publish guidance on the city website and proceed with rule drafting; the council asked staff to prioritize clear timelines and an outreach package for local businesses and labor.
