Local Government added 4,487 jobs in 1999. This was a 2.6 percent growth rate. The average wage increased by 3.4 percent to $29,509. Local Government employment increases were a direct result of an increasing population.

The largest sector within Local Government is Educational Services at 102,007 jobs. This was an increase of 2,310 jobs. The average wage rose 2.5 percent to $27,201. Elementary and Secondary Schools accounted for almost all of the additional jobs with an increase from 96,353 to 98,626. Library employment rose by 6.2 percent to 1,268 and Junior College employment declined from 1,796 to 1,743.

Executive, Legislative, and General Government, Except Finance employment grew by 2.9 percent to 51,887. This is the category where city and county governments are coded when they do not break out the employment reports by function. The average wage increased from $31,063 to $32,311.

Health Services employment experienced an increase similar to the previous years’ at 670 verses 669 in 1998. There were 8,432 jobs classified under Health Services with an average wage of $30,913.

Amusement and Recreation, NEC was nearly unchanged with only 14 more jobs in 1999. The sector employed an average of 2,645 people. These establishments are mostly Park and Recreation districts that are not included in a general government classification.

Electric, Gas, and Sanitary Service employment decreased by 47 jobs to 5,144. Combination Utilities, NEC employment declined by 286 jobs 2,059 while Water Supply employment increased by 286 jobs to 1,851.