HomeMy WebLinkAbout44-0908-26R STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
In the Matter of Extending Temporary }
Hiring Freeze on New Employment }
and Vacant Employment Positions }
Hiring Review } RESOLUTION NO. 44-0908-26R
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 a continued need to limit expenditures; and,
WHEREAS, the current resolution 72-1027-25R is in effect through FY
2026; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners finds that it is in the best
interest of the County to extend the 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. Extension of Temporary Hiring Freeze and Vacant Position Hiring Review
Approved.
a) Effective January 1, 2027, the 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.
1 of 2
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,
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 until terminated by 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 8th day of September,2026.
JEFFER' •N COUNTY BOARD OF
SEAL: C• OMMISSIONERS
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SoFERSO"•�,� • Bro erton, Chair
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?• 73: -I= Hei • isenhour, Member
%,.�4SjpN I ..... eat udley-Nollette, Member
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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arolyn allaway, CMC ate Philip t. Hunsucker, Date
Clerk of the Board Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
2 of 2
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,
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 until terminated by 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 8th day of September,2026.
JEFFER •N COUNTY BOARD OF
SEAL: C• ,1i1 OMMISSIONERS
FERSD40 Brottherton, Chair
.GpMINiS�4',. 00 s
IV 49 A: -� ? Hei • Isenhour, Member
"SHING4, . a udley-Nollette, Member
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
'? 74/ - eptember 9,2026
�l allaway, CMC ate PhilipHunsucker,yn C. Date
Clerk of the Board Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
2 of 2
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Josh Peters, County Administrator
FROM: Judy Shepherd,Finance Director
DATE: September 8, 2026
SUBJECT: Discussion and Potential action to Amend Resolution No. 72-1027-25R re: In
the matter of continuation of temporary hiring freeze on new employment
positions and vacant employment position hiring review
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Jefferson County is mandated by RCW 36.40 to have a balanced budget. The County has a
fiscal responsibility to maintain a strong cash balance with reserve that preserves the services
provided to the citizens of Jefferson County.
ANALYSIS:
Salaries and benefits are the largest portion of the County's budget of expenditures and
based on the continued budget deficit, it is imperative to limit expenditures. It is in the best
interest of the County to continue the hiring freeze through FY 2027 and review vacant
employment positions before filling.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Potentially maintain current staffing levels resulting in salaries and benefits to improve the trajectory
for the next five years.
REVIEWED BY:
(Ai
Josh eters, County Administrator Date