Robert Roerink was 29 cents an hour richer when he came to work on Tuesday afternoon.
‘It means nothing to me,? said Roerink, 65, who monitors the Village Skate Park in Ortonville. ‘It’s a just $1.16 a day more for me. Perhaps others need it more.?
Roerink is one of many workers that will receive a little more in their paychecks now that the state minimum wage inched up to $7.40 an hour on July 1.
The new wage is the final step in the legislative plan that raised minimum wage almost 44 percent over two years. The wage increase began in October 2006, when minimum wage went from $5.15 to $6.95. The boost in pay was the first in nine years. From $6.95, it rose to $7.15 in July 2007, and became $7.40 this month.
Area lawmakers were split on the change in minimum wage.
State Representative Jim Marleau, (R-46th District) voted yes on the bill raising the wage. Conversely, State Representative David Robertson, (R-51st District) voted no on the bill.
‘If this is a surprise to anyone, it’s their own fault,? said Ed Coy, Ortonville village manager.
Coy said the village employs only one minimum wage worker. Roerink, the skate park monitor, will be experiencing a pay increase.
The mandatory pay increase is just something employers will have to deal with, Coy said.
‘There’s nothing you can do about it,? the village manager said. ‘But it’ll give our employee a little more money on his paycheck, so that’s nice.?
Local businesses had a mixed reaction.
Bueche’s Food World in Groveland Township are raising prices in response.
‘We have to do it just to compete,? said Bob Streng, assistant manager of the store, located at 400 North Ortonville Road.
‘We’re doing price changes like crazy,? Streng said.
Eddie Zara, manager of the Goodrich Market at 8175 South State Road, said grocery prices are rising due to gas prices more than anything else.
‘I give my employees a raise every three to four months, anyway,? Zara said.
Angela Grogan, owner of Lucy’s Pet Supplies and Feeds at 8159 South State Road in Goodrich, said she is doing all she can to keep her prices stable.
‘Our employees already make more than minimum wage and I haven’t decided if I can give them a raise,? Grogan said. ‘I’m trying really hard not to raise my prices, so I have to sit down and see if it’s in my budget.?
Budgeting for the pay increase is an issue for Steve Peterson, the owner of Hungry Howie’s at 280 North Ortonville Road.
Peterson said minimum wage is forcing him to watch his expenses.
‘With the cost of cheese and flour and utilities going through the roof, it’s hard to make a living these days,? Peterson said.
Peterson said his prices will remain the same.