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County rescinds full-time victim witness post, citing state funding shortfall
Summary
Commissioners rescinded a 2019 decision that made the victim witness advocate a full-time permanent position and approved returning it to part-time because of insufficient state funding.
The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners voted to rescind Resolution 119-2019 and revert a victim witness advocate position from full time to part time, citing inadequate state funding to sustain a full-time role.
Commissioners said the change is a response to the state’s funding levels. A presenter explained the current advocate was leaving the permanent position and, with the state funding pattern, the county could not justify maintaining a full-time advocate. "Because the State of Washington is not providing counties with enough funding, and therefore, we have a person leaving this permanent position, and, because of the lack of funding, we're gonna they're gonna go a part time position," a county staff presenter said.
A commissioner moved and seconded a resolution rescinding the 2019 action; the board voted unanimously in favor. Commissioners and staff expressed concern that the state should fund victim services at a higher level and said they would continue to push for adequate state support.
The action will change the county’s staffing allocation for victim services; staff did not present a specific hire timeline during the meeting. Commissioners stressed the work remains important and urged the state to increase funding for victim services.
