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Washington County Board adopts bilingual pay policy; county says American Sign Language eligible
Summary
On Dec. 17 the Washington County Board unanimously adopted a resolution to implement a county bilingual pay policy. County human resources staff clarified that American Sign Language (ASL) is eligible for the bilingual pay stipend, though the policy does not list specific languages.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 17 voted unanimously to adopt a resolution implementing the county's bilingual pay policy.
Commissioner Fye asked for clarification following a Dec. 10 discussion about whether American Sign Language would be covered. Lisa Takich, the county's chief human resources officer, told the board that "any language, including American sign language, is eligible for the bilingual pay," and that the policy text does not include a fixed list of languages but that ASL would be considered eligible. Takich also said the slide deck for the presentation had been updated to reflect that clarification.
The board's management and staff thanked Office of Equity, Inclusion and Communication (OEIC) staff and others for their work developing the policy. The clerk called the vote; the motion carried 5-0.
Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda: Adopted (15 items). Motion moved and seconded; carried unanimously, 5-0. Items included minutes, items from Clean Water Services, Office of Community Development, Housing Services, Land Use and Transportation, and Human Resources. (Details not specified in the meeting record.)
- Washington County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council appointments: Alan Pericini and Rachel Schutz appointed to terms starting Jan. 1, 2025 and ending Dec. 31, 2026; one PSCC position left vacant for future recruitment. Motion carried unanimously, 5-0.
- Washington County Bilingual Pay Policy (resolution): Adopted by the board; motion carried unanimously, 5-0. County staff clarified that the policy considers all languages, including American Sign Language, eligible for the bilingual pay stipend though the policy does not enumerate specific languages.
Clerk Moss provided procedural updates at the start of the meeting noting agenda changes: item C15 (bilingual policy) moved to an action section, item C17 added to the consent agenda and E2 updated from the originally published packet. No further board action was taken on the bilingual policy beyond adopting the resolution at this meeting.
