Fact-finder recommends phased $1.10/hour supplement for IHSS workers; county raises affordability concerns

A neutral fact-finder recommended a phased $1.10-per-hour wage supplement for In‑Home Supportive Services providers in Siskiyou County, the county’s deputy administrator told the Board on the IHSS Public Authority agenda.

Haley Hudson, Deputy County Administrator, said the fact-finder found the union’s comparability arguments reasonable and described a recommended schedule that would add 60¢ per hour upon contract ratification, 25¢ at the first contract anniversary and 25¢ at the second anniversary. Hudson said the union had proposed a $1.70-per-hour increase and the fact-finder’s recommendation would move the county’s IHSS compensation ranking from about 24th to about 8th among comparable small and rural counties.

The staff presentation noted the county has filed a formal written dissent to the fact-finder’s report citing concerns about analysis and affordability. Hudson also told the Board that, under the Welfare and Institutions Code as cited during the presentation, certain statutory conditions could expose the county to withholding of realignment funds if those conditions are met — but she said it was unclear whether the statute would apply in Siskiyou County because the county has not previously had a contract with IHSS workers and application would depend on how an overseeing body or court interprets the criteria.

Mark Sherry Lawson, Deputy County Administrator, provided an estimate in response to Board questions: "the ongoing cost would be approximately higher than $7,000, and that would be in perpetuity," he said, noting additional unknowns tied to future state actions. County staff recommended the Board receive the fact-finder report, the county’s dissent and the staff analysis; no formal action was taken on the report at the meeting.

Why it matters: IHSS providers deliver in‑home care for elderly and disabled residents; any permanent wage increases would create ongoing budget obligations for the county and could require shifting general‑fund resources. The fact-finder’s recommendation frames the bargaining positions while the county considers affordability and statutory risks.

Next steps: The presentation closed with staff available to answer questions. Board members discussed strategies including partnering with unions to seek state funding, but the meeting record shows no final agreement or vote on implementing the fact-finder’s recommendation.