Snohomish County Council approves AFSCME contract, sets hearings and recognizes Korean American and law-enforcement days

Snohomish County Council members on Jan. 8 unanimously approved a four-year collective bargaining agreement with the Washington State Council of County and City Employees (AFSCME) representing Local 1811 CA District Court and set public hearings for a Planning Commission appointment and a consolidated state health contract. The council also adopted two ceremonial resolutions recognizing National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and Korean American Day.

The collective bargaining agreement, approved as motion 25-018, covers 67 employees and is effective Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2027. Jim Martin, council staff, said the contract “provides a cost of living adjustment of 4.51% for 2024, 3.63 percent for 2025, and the addition of step 6 and 7 in 2026 and 2027 respectively.” The motion passed on a 5-0 vote.

The council set a public hearing for the proposed appointment of Jeff Chandler to the Snohomish County Planning Commission for Jan. 22 at 9 a.m. (motion 25-022). Ryan Kenterman, council staff, told the council members they received a committee briefing the previous day and that there were no follow-up questions.

Council members also set a public hearing for ordinance 24-114, which would authorize the county executive to sign a consolidated contract with the Washington State Department of Health and delegate authority to execute subsequent statements of work and amendments. Cynthia Foley, council staff, said “the health department receives the majority of its grant funding through a consolidated contract with the Washington State Department of Health. DOH will pay Snohomish County to perform activities in the statement of work. The statement of work will be issued subsequent to the execution of the contract and will be modified on a regular basis.” The council scheduled the public hearing for Jan. 29 at 10:30 a.m.

Council discussion on the DOH contract centered on an amendment sponsored by Council member Low that would require quarterly reports listing ECAF numbers for contract amendments. A council member asked how amendments would receive ECAF numbers; Foley explained that recent practice shows department-executed contracts now appear in Legistar with ECAF numbers even if they do not come before the council. One council member noted that when the Board of Health previously operated differently, frequent monthly amendments had been onerous, and said they appreciated efforts to streamline the process.

The meeting also included two ceremonial resolutions. The council adopted resolution 2051 recognizing Jan. 9, 2025, as National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in Snohomish County (passed 5-0). Council member Jason Moon (Mukilteo) read a resolution recognizing Jan. 13, 2025, as Korean American Day and spoke about his family and community; the resolution passed 5-0.

The consent agenda and administrative matters were approved without debate, each by unanimous votes. The council recessed briefly for a photo and adjourned the general legislative session after completing the scheduled votes.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2051 (recognizing 01/09/2025 as National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day): passed 5-0. - Resolution 25-002 (recognizing 01/13/2025 as Korean American Day): passed 5-0. (Council member Jason Moon read the resolution and spoke in support.) - Motion 25-022 (set public hearing to consider appointment of Jeff Chandler to the Planning Commission): set for Jan. 22, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.; vote to set hearing passed 5-0. - Ordinance 24-114 (set public hearing to consider consolidated contract with Washington State Department of Health and delegation of amendment authority): hearing set for Jan. 29, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.; vote to set hearing passed 5-0. - Motion 25-018 (authorize county executive to sign 2024–2027 collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local 1811 CA District Court covering 67 employees): approved 5-0. Key terms: effective 01/01/2024–12/31/2027; COLA 4.51% (2024), 3.63% (2025); addition of steps 6 and 7 in 2026 and 2027.

Background and next steps: The appointment of Jeff Chandler will be considered at the Jan. 22 public hearing. The consolidated DOH contract will return for a public hearing on Jan. 29; Foley said statements of work and future amendments will be issued after contract execution and will be trackable in Legistar by ECAF number. The collective bargaining agreement takes effect as stated in the contract dates.