DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A task force formed by county supervisors is expected to recommend raising the minimum wage to $8.75 in Polk County on Jan. 1st. The task force informally backed the proposal at a Thursday afternoon meeting and is expected to formally vote on the recommendation to send it the county board next month.

In September Johnson County became the first Iowa community to increase the minimum wage above the national rate of $7.25 an hour. The county’s rate is rising in 95-cent increments and will reach $10.10 next year. Cities inside the county have the option of passing an ordinance exempting them from the county rule.