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Council extends DOC work‑crew agreement despite ethical concerns over pay
Summary
The council voted 5–2 to approve an amendment extending the Washington State Department of Corrections Class 4 work crew agreement to June 30, 2028. Councilors raised ethics concerns about participant compensation referenced in the packet; proponents cited rehabilitation and cost savings.
The Snoqualmie City Council approved on Nov. 24 an amendment to its Class 4 master work‑crew agreement with the Washington State Department of Corrections that extends the program through June 30, 2028.
Deputy Director Phil Bennett and Jason Bartels summarized the program’s eligibility and screening: participants are within six years or less of release and must pass a multidisciplinary screening (classification, medical, mental‑health, security and facility leadership) before assignment to community work crews. Bartels said the DOC will not assign people with certain violence‑motivated convictions or recent misconduct.
Compensation and debate: Meeting materials and staff comments referenced an average wage figure that councilors and staff discussed without a single definitive interpretation in the record. At one point staff cited a figure of “$5.23 an hour,” and several councilors questioned whether that number reflected per‑hour pay, per‑shift group calculations, or another metric. Councilor Johnson said the low figure raised moral concerns: “A dollar of work per hour just doesn't feel ethical,” he said, noting the optics and historical concerns.
Support and rationale: Other councilors defended the program as voluntary, rehabilitative and a higher‑paying option relative to in‑facility jobs, and said the work provides job skills, time outside and public benefits. Councilors who supported the extension noted safety protocols and that the program has been used successfully by local departments and nonprofit partners.
Vote and next steps: The council adopted resolution 17‑36 to approve the amendment; the vote was recorded as 5 in favor and 2 opposed (Councilors Washington and Johnson). Staff will continue administering the program and provide contractual and wage‑breakdown clarifications if requested.
Attribution: This article uses statements made on the record by Deputy Director Phil Bennett, Jason Bartels and council members during the Nov. 24 meeting.
