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10/27/25 09 AM: Hiring Freeze Approved; Consent Agenda, Encampment Workshop

Hiring Freeze Approved; Consent Agenda, Encampment Workshop

Jefferson County Commissioners unanimously approved a temporary hiring freeze across departments to safeguard the budget, passed a consent agenda with grant extensions, contracts, and funding supplements, conducted workshops on updated unauthorized encampment removal policy and Little Quilcene River estuary restoration planning, and heard an informational presentation from the Historical Society on vertical files and local lore.

Temporary Hiring Freeze Resolution

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 1 00:00:00–00:35:56
  • Categories: budgeting, personnel, operations

Summary

Core financial team, including County Administrator Josh Peters and Finance Director Judy Shepard, presented a resolution for an immediate temporary hiring freeze on all new and vacant positions across Jefferson County departments to address budget challenges and prevent jeopardizing the general fund balance. The freeze, effective upon adoption through FY 2026 unless terminated or extended, includes exceptions for critical functions such as contractual obligations, liability exposure, technical expertise for systems, or statutory/ordinance requirements, reviewed by the Board via the County Administrator. The board approved the resolution unanimously after discussion on its role as a first step in fiscal measures, vacancy control processes, and alignment with prior policies from COVID and 2024 resolutions.

Key Discussion Points

  • Peters noted ongoing 2026 budget process with challenges if status quo continued, referencing prior board-adopted budget goals and policies for lean times to avoid drastic measures like those in the Great Recession.
  • Shepard detailed resolution components, including immediate freeze, critical position criteria, oversight by Board/Administrator, and a hiring exemption form for review by HR, finance, and core team.
  • Team emphasized transparency with departments, no surprise due to prior messaging, and commonality with other counties; alternatives like furloughs seen as more drastic.
  • Commissioners raised questions on critical function analysis (linked to ongoing COOP plan), impact quantification (not yet available pre-exemption process), department flexibility for offsets, and incentives like corrections bonuses.
  • County Administrator Josh Peters: Hiring freeze as step one to avoid late-2025 frenzy and layoffs.
  • Finance Director Judy Shepard: Effective immediately, applies county-wide including ongoing hires; modeled on COVID policy.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Resolution referenced (54104-101424R from 2024 on financial distress measures; current resolution in Laserfiche/discussion agenda). Hiring exemption form shown; slides on prior resolutions, criteria, and process. No divergence from staff recommendations.

Financials

No specific savings quantified yet; aims to limit largest expenditure (salaries/benefits), potentially reduce 2025 carryovers into 2026 by not filling vacancies. Applies to all funds; grant-funded or non-general fund positions eligible for exceptions if recurring.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed; voluntary position hold-offs or offsets mentioned as department strategies. No formal amendments proposed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Motion to approve a resolution in the matter of a temporary hiring freeze on new employment positions and vacant employment position hiring review." Seconded.
  • Vote: Unanimous (all Aye).
  • Next Steps:
  • Finance to analyze impacts for November 3 budget presentation, including carryovers and contract changes.
  • Develop/review exemption form and process with HR, finance, administrator.
  • Revisit as needed for FY2027 budget; extend/terminate via new resolution.

Consent Agenda Items

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 2 00:31:14–00:45:16
  • Categories: contracts, budgeting, infrastructure

Summary

Board approved consent agenda without pulling items; brief discussion highlighted extensions for PIF grants on Sims Way Gateway/Boatyard and JCIA Eco-Industrial Parks (no fiscal impact, delays noted), HCA jail MOUD/MAUD contract amendment increasing funding to $483,793 for substance use services, Memorial Field cultural assessment ($60,332.90 for RCO compliance), and Olympic Discovery Trail funding supplement ($1,519,332 federal aid, end date to 2029).

Key Discussion Points

  • PIF extensions praised for progress despite delays; trail project noted as long-term success.
  • HCA amendment linked to jail medical needs, rising costs, potential co-location opportunities.
  • Memorial Field cultural work required for grant; fence/art discussions.
  • Limited discussion; items addressed primarily through supporting materials.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet materials detailed grant amendments (no fiscal changes, time extensions to 2026/2029), HCA scope (screening, meds, reentry), Memorial assessment (45JE408 site, Tribal coordination), Trail supplement (bid-based costs). No board divergence.

Financials

  • PIF grants: Extensions, no new funds (e.g., Sims Way $1.3M total; JCIA #1 $350K; #2 $486K).
  • HCA: Increase $304,720 to $483,793 (state grant).
  • Memorial: $60,332.90 (70% RCO grant, 30% capital match).
  • Trail: $1,519,332 federal (86.5% construction share).

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda as presented."
  • Vote: Unanimous (all Aye).
  • No next steps specified.

Unauthorized Encampment Removal Policy Workshop

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 2 01:15:02–02:53:14
  • Categories: ordinances, public safety, services, planning

Summary

Prosecuting Attorney's Office (Ariel Sesser, Philip Hunsucker) presented revised policy adopting public health framework, updating for Grants Pass v. Johnson (2024) allowing removals without shelter if tailored, with 72-hour notice minimum, 60-day property storage, training, and emphasis areas (e.g., courthouse). Public comments urged no-displacement-without-placement, HB 1220 alignment, definitions for low/no-barrier shelter; board discussed exigent circumstances, alternatives, state law. Workshop continued post-lunch with public input; no action taken.

Key Discussion Points

  • Policy balances dignity/safety; immediate removal for imminent threats; notice/offers required otherwise.
  • Ariel Sesser: Internal consistency with code/parks; roles (Public Health assessment, Sheriff's storage); last-resort removals post-alternatives offered.
  • Board: Codify behavioral health input; low/no-barrier definitions problematic ( Commerce varies); contemplate unauthorized sites with harm reduction.
  • Referenced Martin v. Boise overturned; state/federal shifts.

Public Comments

  • Sondra Hunt/Well Organized: 5 amendments (no-displacement rule, define shelters, limit emphasis areas, link to comp plan/HB1220, strengthen oversight).
  • Julia: Support public health frame; "homelessness not crime."
  • Maggie: Evans Vista restraining order concerns.
  • Jen/Pinky (for Apple): Lead with compassion; no hazard at Public Health site.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Draft policy (redline revisions submitted); case law (Grants Pass, Martin v. Boise); JCC titles (parks, compliance). Staff to incorporate comments for November 3.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

Public suggested amendments (e.g., longer notice, verified low-barrier placements); board favored delineating steps, expertise input. No formal proposals.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action taken; workshop.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps:
  • PAO briefing with public comments/state law by November 3 workshop.
  • Redline incorporating input by tomorrow, posted to Laserfiche.

Little Quilcene River Estuary Restoration Planning

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 2 01:15:02–01:45:22
  • Categories: planning, infrastructure, other

Summary

Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (Gus Johnson) presented conceptual design funded by $521K state grants to restore 83-acre estuary (levee removal, channel meander, delta cone reduction) for ESA salmon habitat; seeks to expand onto adjacent county parcels (APNs 701183002/702133010, prior 2009 partial restoration site) for comprehensive work. Cultural surveys clear; hydraulic modeling planned. Board supportive, no decision needed yet.

Key Discussion Points

  • Historic channelization/sediment filled estuary; 2009 north levee removal incomplete due to landowner withdrawal.
  • Benefits: Spawning/rearing habitat; floodplain expansion (30-240ft to 2,100ft).
  • Gus Johnson (HCSEG): Purchased 43 acres; designs by early 2027; modeling for flood/private property impacts.
  • Board: Flood modeling, house risks (levee segment stays), public access (unchanged, Navy REPI limits recreation).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Slides (historic maps, DEM, ownership); SRFB/ESRP grants; cultural surveys (no findings). Aligns with county restoration goals.

Financials

No financial information discussed (HCSEG grant-funded design).

Alternatives & Amendments

Limit to HCSEG land (less comprehensive).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action taken; workshop.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps:
  • Staff (Tami Pokorny) develop formal agreement for county parcels.
  • HCSEG conceptual designs/stakeholder review 2026.

Cultural Heritage Resources: Vertical Files & Local Lore

Metadata

  • Time Range: PART 2 03:14:16–03:55:42
  • Categories: other

Summary

Jefferson County Historical Society (Ellie DiPietro et al.) presented on vertical files (600+ topics: clippings/ephemera for quick reference) as research starting point, using lore examples (Haller Fountain trout-jumping, ghosts) to show triangulation with photos/newspapers. Informational; highlighted Halloween ties, Strange Shadows tour.

Key Discussion Points

  • Vertical files like proto-Wikipedia; strengths (ready reference), limits (uncited copies).
  • Ellie DiPietro: Files on people/buildings/events; e.g., Charlie Lang trout verified by dozens photos/articles.
  • Board: Lore vs. history; courthouse Halloween vertical file potential.

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Vertical file examples (Haller/Galatea, ghosts); photos/articles. Ties to Strategic Plan 6.A.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action taken; informational.
  • Vote: None.
  • No next steps specified.

Background Materials

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