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Everett council approves Health & Human Services budget after debate over school nurse pay
Summary
The Everett City Council voted favorable action on the FY25 budget for Health & Human Services after department director Sabrina Ferricano outlined vacancy reductions, school nurse pay increases tied to a new union contract and use of contracted nurses while positions remain unfilled.
Sabrina Ferricano, director of Everett's Health Department, told the Ways & Means committee on June 3 that two long-vacant positions ' a mental health clinician and a parent information nurse ' will not be funded going forward but that school nurse positions remain a priority.
Ferricano said a newly ratified union contract increased pay for school nurses and drove a large increase in the department's salaries line. "So they did all get, get, a increase in their salary," Ferricano said, explaining the change was intended to make school nursing jobs more attractive and improve recruitment.
Councilors pressed for detail on how the department is covering schools while permanent hires are pursued. Ferricano described a two-part approach: a small per-diem pool employed by the city and contracted Cataldo nurses who temporarily supplement staffing in buildings. "We've been using the Cataldo nurses to supplement having two nurses in a building," she said, adding the city hopes to fund permanent positions in the future.
Ferricano also clarified that the department is offering seasonal flu clinics for residents; vaccines for school-age children that are obtained through state programs are state-funded, not paid by the city.
After the question-and-answer period, the council moved and seconded favorable action on the FY25 recommended budget for the Department of Health and Human Services. The chair announced the ayes had it and the budget was approved as presented. The department will now proceed with recruitment and implementation based on the adopted appropriation.
Next procedural steps: the adopted FY25 HHS appropriation will be incorporated into the city's final operating budget and staff said they will continue coordinating with human resources to recruit for the school nurse vacancies and other prioritized positions.
