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Commissioners direct staff on multiple vacant positions, plan elected-officials pay resolution for February
Summary
Yakima County commissioners reviewed a package of human-resources memos on Jan. 27 and directed staff to apply the county’s position-control policy consistently while allowing departments a fast track to re-request roles if their needs and funding are demonstrated.
County Human Resources staff presented a package of position-control memos and exceptions on Jan. 27. Commissioners discussed each item under the county’s policy that eliminates positions vacant for 12 months unless a department can show active recruitment or secure funding.
The nut graf: the board urged consistent application of the position-control policy. For several long-unfilled positions the board directed elimination from the position roster, with the understanding departments can re-request positions later through standard personnel processes once need and funding are clear.
Key items and board direction:
- District Court: Move a Program Coordinator 2 from the sales-tax fund into the general fund to be paid from a DUI Court grant (Office of the Administrator for the Courts). Commissioners voiced agreement that funding is available for the change and did not object to the move.
- Human Services: Eliminate an Office Specialist 2 position that has been vacant more than 12 months and was not included in departmental budget plans.
- District Court probation positions: Commissioners said they would not grant indefinite exceptions for two vacant probation positions that were created previously but not actively recruited. They recommended the positions be eliminated and re-requested if the department determines it needs a probation officer versus a case manager.
- Prosecuting Attorney: A chief attorney position funded by the county’s three-tenths sales tax has been vacant. Commissioners said the position should be removed from the roster for now, with the caveat that the department can move quickly to reestablish it if it hires sufficient attorneys and demonstrates the need; money remains in the sales-tax fund for reauthorization.
- Sheriff’s Office dispatch supervisor: The vacancy will be removed from the roster despite ongoing recruitment for entry-level dispatchers; commissioners noted the position was included in the 2025 budget and the sheriff may re-request the position quickly when staffing stabilizes.
Commissioner Lindy and Commissioner Curtis emphasized the board’s intent to follow the adopted policy and to limit exceptions to active, documented recruitment. The sheriff asked the board to keep the option open to reestablish the supervisor position promptly once recruitment yields enough dispatchers.
Elected-officials pay plan: staff raised a previously tabled proposal to adjust medical contributions and adopt a 2025 pay plan for certain elected officials. Commissioners agreed to advance a resolution to the February agenda to implement a standard pay increase for all elected positions except the coroner, with the increases to be retroactive to Jan. 1 if adopted.
P-card lost/unavailable receipts: the board reviewed two unverified p-card transactions for the county coroner (Office Depot $3.37 and Adobe $21.65). Staff said the cardholder’s office payment had already been made at the statement level, but verification requires receipts. County counsel and staff discussed options. The board directed corporate counsel to draft a letter to the coroner requesting either proof of office use (receipts) or repayment; commissioners also asked staff to review the p-card policy and legal options for recoupment and to consider executive-session follow-up if needed.
