EVERETT — The Everett City Council voted 7-0 on Wednesday to approve a buyout program for city employees in an attempt to address next year’s budget deficit.
The buyouts will reduce payroll costs by offering an incentive for city employees to quit their jobs. Officials said 141 employees are eligible for buyouts.
The buyout measure comes just weeks after voters rejected a property tax levy lid lift aimed at overcoming a projected $12.6 million budget deficit for 2025.
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City officials said further cuts are necessary, calling Wednesday’s vote a first step while they consider other cost-saving options.
“The council wants to be very strategic and look at the the budget long term. We don’t want to have to go through this process every year,” council President Don Schwab said after Wednesday’s meeting.
The program offers severance based on the employee’s current salary and how long they worked for the city, with a maximum of $55,000. It also includes six months of city-paid medical benefits and one year of access to the Vera Clinic, a primary care center for city staff.
Buyout applications will be available to employees in the administration, communications, economic development, emergency management, finance, fire, library, parks and facilities and police departments. Buyouts will not be offered to police officers or union staffers in the fire and parks departments.
Employees must have worked 18 months with the city to apply.
The city must approve each application. Staff said they will consider the operational needs of each department during the approval process.
Those who receive offers must leave their jobs before Nov. 30.
“We have some hard decisions ahead, and I’m proud of how our city team has risen to the challenge, finding innovative ways to reduce costs while continuing to serve our community,” Mayor Cassie Franklin said in a statement. “This program will be another proactive step towards balancing our budget and ensuring a sustainable future for our community.”
Roger Moller, staff representative from the Washington State Council of County and City Employees, supported the program, but opposed limiting severance payments to $55,000. He said it will deter high-earners in management positions from taking the buyouts.
“Any pressure that can be taken off of the general fund is a good thing for our members,” Moller said.
For many city employees, he said, the choice to apply is about more than money.
“These are hardworking, dedicated public servants who, day in and day out, provide a service to the citizens of the city,” Moller said. “It will actually be very difficult choice for a lot of these people to take the buyout and move on.”
The proposal includes opportunities for union negotiations.
The 2024 budget funded 765 full-time general government salaries, with 55 vacant positions.
The city offered similar buyouts to employees in 2019 and 2020. Officials hope to keep the vacated positions open for at least a year.
Connor Zamora: 425-339-3037; connor.zamora@heraldnet.com; X: @cgzamora02.
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