Sheriff’s approach working
Published 3:41 pm Thursday, February 25, 2010
When the idea of putting the sheriff’s office in charge of the Snohomish County jail was proposed in 2008, ours was one of several voices of concern. Predictions of budget savings had too little analysis behind them, we argued — a view shared by county Executive Aaron Reardon, whose office oversaw jail operations at the time.
Councilman Mike Cooper’s proposal was approved over such objections, and we’re happy to admit that our initial worries have been dispelled. More than a year after the change, predictions that it could save the county $500,000 a year have proven conservative. Very conservative. Savings in overtime and new revenue initiatives have improved the jail’s balance sheet by more than $3 million.
Much of the credit goes to the capable leadership of Sheriff John Lovick and his command staff, who brought a fresh approach to employee relations that had become more than a little rocky.
Lovick’s management philosophy — communicate clearly and listen first, push decision-making to the lowest possible level, correct behavior without being unnecessarily punitive, reward good behavior — has made a remarkable difference. Worker grievances fell by 76 percent in 2009, and sick leave was down, too — clear signs of improved morale.
Revenues are up because more jail beds are being filled with inmates from cities and other jurisdictions in the region, as well as greater use of jail work crews.
It would be unfair to lay all the blame for previous labor problems at the feet of the jail’s former administration. Former jail director Steve Thompson, who was hired by former Executive Bob Drewel in 2003 as overtime was soaring and criminal investigations were under way, quickly achieved better labor relations and created new revenue streams to operate a new jail building. Complaints filed by the Snohomish County Corrections Guild increased gradually, but it’s important to note that most were dismissed.
Still, the results of the sheriff’s fresh approach are undeniable. But Lovick is realistic enough to know that labor challenges may lie ahead as falling county revenues and annexations force downsizing. A recent e-mail to the command staff from a guild representative, though, expressed optimism: “There may be some bumps in the road ahead, but I have every confidence we will work through them together.”
Time will tell. For now, Lovick and his command staff — particularly Corrections Bureau Chief Mark Baird and Major Doug Jeske — are proving what we all know to be true: Positive leadership makes a difference.
