Hyder transition complete; county says affected nurses will receive four weeks’ pay

County officials reported the transition of residents from the Hyder facility to Riverside is complete and said staff reassignments have filled several open nursing shifts.

The chair told commissioners that the county followed union seniority when offering positions and that two nurses transferred to the House of Correction and two to Riverside to cover 7 a.m.–7 p.m. shifts and upcoming vacations. "They'll be paid four weeks pay plus whatever time they have on the books," the chair said, describing the contract-required notice mailed to employees. The county noted a maximum payout cap of 200 vacation hours.

Officials said five nurses declined open positions outright and five others initially expressed potential interest but later declined the specific shifts offered (examples cited included 3:00–11:00 and 11:00–7:00 shifts). The speaker said some savings from the closure will begin to appear in the second quarter, with the majority expected in the third and fourth quarters of the year.

The article distinguishes between discussion and formal action: the payment described is part of the administration fulfilling contract obligations; no additional policy or ordinance was adopted during the meeting.