HomeMy WebLinkAboutDISCUSSION re: Resolution re Temporary Hiring Freeze STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
In the Matter of a Temporary Hiring }
Freeze on New Employment Positions }
and Vacant Employment Position }
Hiring Review } RESOLUTION NO.
WHEREAS, RCW 36.40 mandates that the County have a balanced budget; and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that due to national, state and local economic outlook
that the County's revenues will not meet projected expenditures due to increasing costs;
and,
WHEREAS,the ability of the County to increase tax revenues to meet increasing
demands for services is been limited by state law; and
WHEREAS, the County Commissioners and all Elected Officials and
appointed Department Heads of the Jefferson County government are working
together to ensure the County's financial future and to make budget adjustments
necessary to deal with the revenue shortfalls; and,
WHEREAS, salaries and benefits are the largest portion of the County's
budget of expenditures and there is an urgent need to begin limiting expenditures;
and,
WHEREAS,the Board of County Commissioners finds that it is in the best
interest of the County to immediately impose a temporary hiring freeze on
County employment positions as defined below;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY,STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Section 1. Whereas Clauses Adopted as Findings of Fact. The Jefferson County Board of
Commissioners hereby adopts the above"Whereas"clauses as Findings of Fact.
Section 2. Temporary Hiring Freeze and Vacant Position Hiring Review Approved.
a) Effective immediately a freeze is imposed on the creation and filling of
any new employment position or the filling of any vacant position in
all Jefferson County Departments.
b) Critical function positions are those which must be filled due to
contractual obligations, exposure to liability, specific technical expertise
necessary for the operation of internal systems, due to statutory provisions,
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or County ordinance.
c) As oversight of the County budget, the Board of County
Commissioners, through the County Administrator, will review each
request to for an exception identified as critical function or fully
supported by grant or other non-County funding.
Section 3. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or section of
this resolution or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid,the remainder
of this resolution or its application to other persons or circumstances shall be fully valid
and shall not be affected.
Section 4. Effective Date. This resolution is effective upon adoption and will remain in
effect through FY 2026, unless otherwise terminated or extended by separate Resolution
by the Board of County Commissioners.
Section 5. SEPA Categorical Exemption. This resolution is categorically exempt from the
State Environmental Policy Act under WAC 197-11-800(19).
APPROVED this 27th day of October,2025.
JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF
SEAL: COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Heidi Eisenhour, Chair
Greg Brotherton, Member
Heather Dudley-Nollette, Member
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Carolyn Gallaway, CMC Date Philip C. Hunsucker, Date
Clerk of the Board Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
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