Published: Friday, January 9, 2009
Unpaid furloughs OK'd for Snohomish County Council's staff
The days off for the County Council workers are part of an effort to save money
EVERETT -- The Snohomish County Council is one of the few departments that will have more workers this year than it did last year, but each of those 27 employees will take nine days of unpaid leave over the next 12 months.
The council on Wednesday voted 4-1 to approve the mandatory unpaid days off. Council Chairman Mike Cooper was the dissenting vote.
Councilmen cannot take unpaid leave because they are elected officials.
The council last year asked every department head to trim 9 percent from their budgets to offset a predicted revenue shortfall in 2009 of $21 million. Dozens of county workers were laid off. When the council approved a 2009 budget in late November, it asked department heads to find another 1 percent to trim.
Councilmen said then that unpaid furloughs could make up the difference and save jobs.
"Each department has to identify what amounts to 1 percent of their budget, which is basically the equivalent of 10 furlough days," Councilman Dave Gossett said. "Departments are going to have to demonstrate how they're going to put these savings together."
County Executive Aaron Reardon has been negotiating with local union officials for unpaid furloughs among other departments, but it's not clear whether they'll reach an agreement.
Cooper has warned that if the county can't find other ways to save money there may be more layoffs in the coming months.
The council is scheduled to vote later this month on a proposal to trim vehicle allowances given to the county's elected officials, most of whom drive their own vehicles.
County leaders are now given about $570 per month, in addition to mileage payments for travel outside of Snohomish County. The stipend could be reduced by 55 percent or more.
Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@heraldnet.com.
The council on Wednesday voted 4-1 to approve the mandatory unpaid days off. Council Chairman Mike Cooper was the dissenting vote.
Councilmen cannot take unpaid leave because they are elected officials.
The council last year asked every department head to trim 9 percent from their budgets to offset a predicted revenue shortfall in 2009 of $21 million. Dozens of county workers were laid off. When the council approved a 2009 budget in late November, it asked department heads to find another 1 percent to trim.
Councilmen said then that unpaid furloughs could make up the difference and save jobs.
"Each department has to identify what amounts to 1 percent of their budget, which is basically the equivalent of 10 furlough days," Councilman Dave Gossett said. "Departments are going to have to demonstrate how they're going to put these savings together."
County Executive Aaron Reardon has been negotiating with local union officials for unpaid furloughs among other departments, but it's not clear whether they'll reach an agreement.
Cooper has warned that if the county can't find other ways to save money there may be more layoffs in the coming months.
The council is scheduled to vote later this month on a proposal to trim vehicle allowances given to the county's elected officials, most of whom drive their own vehicles.
County leaders are now given about $570 per month, in addition to mileage payments for travel outside of Snohomish County. The stipend could be reduced by 55 percent or more.
Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@heraldnet.com.
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