PHOENIX – The city of Phoenix’s lowest-paid workers are getting a raise.

The City Council approved a minimum wage of $15 an hour for full-time city employees during Wednesday’s meeting, the first with new Mayor Kate Gallego running the show.

The new rate, which is $4 more than the state’s current minimum wage, will go into effect the first full pay period of May.

Anybody making less than $15 will get a raise, and no future hires will have a starting wage below that mark.

It was a great first meeting as mayor! Unanimous votes on many items including helping small businesses and protecting our water supply. I’m looking forward to working together with all members of the city council to get things done. pic.twitter.com/cs91RNF9Ax — Kate Gallego (@KateWGallego) April 3, 2019

The proposal passed unanimously in a vote that covered multiple agenda items at once.

Gallego called it “an exciting day.”

“I think this reflects well on our city,” she said.

According to the meeting agenda, the policy will impact approximately 150 workers in 64 job classifications.

The pay increase will cost the city about $525,000 annually. Approximately $230,000 of that will come from the general fund, and the rest will be absorbed within existing operating budgets.

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