But at least one state legislator believes Anderson's proposed administrative rule violates the spirit of his law that forbids cities from requiring contractors to pay employees more than the federal minimum wage.

"It certainly violates the intent of the statute," said Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper. "A complaint could be brought by an employer seeking a contract and [who was] denied it because they were not willing to submit to Salt Lake City's new unique minimum wage law."

Anderson plans to sign the so-called living-wage rule Monday. The mayor, an attorney by profession, maintains it doesn't violate state law and adds the state should let cities determine such matters.

"Even if it doesn't result in any changes with respect to who it is the city contracts with, stating the value is of real significance," Anderson said.

A copy shows the city would award points to contractors who meet one or more of the following criteria:

l Provide a living wage (ranging from $9.06 to $10.56 an hour) to full-time employees.

l Forbid discrimination against employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex or sexual orientation - which is defined as being lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual or heterosexual.

l Have an apprenticeship program.

l Test employees for drugs when there is cause.

l Are small (fewer than 30 full-time employees) and located within the city boundaries.

Qualifying companies will not automatically win contracts. They must be among the low bidders - costing no more than $20,000 over the lowest bid.

The rule would apply to contracts advertised for bids starting March 1, 2005. Roughly half the city's contracts would be affected, because it applies to construction and service contracts, such as janitors, caterers, security guards and landscapers.

Anti-poverty advocates brought the living-wage idea to Anderson in July 2002. The mayor added the other categories.

"All the research shows this is possibly the most cost-effective thing a city can do to combat poverty," said Bill Tibbitts, anti-hunger action committee coordinator for Crossroads Urban Center. "We're really excited about it."

Anderson probably won't seek a living-wage statute from the City Council. Tibbitts wants council endorsement so the preferences don't end when Anderson leaves office. Tibbitts also wants to persuade the Salt Lake County Council to do something similar.

Stephenson passed his bill in 2001, bucking a trend among major cities in other states that require contractors to provide living wages. He said Tuesday that it is unfair to employers if cities have different wage standards. He said if people want to increase the state's minimum wage, which corresponds to the federal $5.15 standard, they should go to the Legislature.

But CBI Security owner Adam Kerbs, who provides security for the city at various venues, doesn't mind. His company fits nearly all of the rule's categories.

"It's a great idea," he said. "For some reason, the service industry contracts have been, 'Oh, let's look at the lowest bid.' The cities are starting to look at quality over that."

Mike Picardi, chairman of the Utah Chapter of the Stonewall Democrats, was not aware of the mayor's proposal. But he liked what he heard about it.

"That's pretty cool if he's going to do something like that," Picardi said. "It shows that Rocky does support the gay community. This is maybe one of his ways to try to help diversity come to Salt Lake."

hmay@sltrib.com