PORT ANGELES —Clallam County has established a policy to implement the 16 furlough days that were approved late last year to save jobs.
Commissioners adopted the emergency budget furlough policy Tuesday.
No public testimony was offered in a hearing on the matter.
Human Resources Director Marge Upham said a few employees had questions about provisions in the policy. County Administrator Jim Jones said those questions have been answered.
Most offices at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., will be closed on the furlough days.
Courts in session
Courts will be open, however, because the state sets its own judicial calendar.
All-hours public safety workers such as sergeants and deputies will not take furlough days because of specific language in their contracts.
Also exempt are judges and the county prosecutor, both of whose salaries are set by the state.
Everyone else will take 16 furloughs, amounting to a 6.13 percent pay cut, as unpaid vacation days. County workers also agreed to return their 3.3 percent cost-of-living raise as a credit to the county’s portion of their health care premium.
The county laid off 15 people last year to help balance the budget.
An additional 16 layoffs would have been necessary had the unions that represent county employees not agreed to wage concessions to balance a $2.7 million budget shortfall.
Dates of furlough days
All 16 furlough days will be on a Monday. The first is scheduled for Jan. 30.
Others are planned for March 26, April 2, May 7, May 21, June 11, June 25, July 9, July 23, Aug. 27, Sept. 17, Oct. 1, Oct. 8, Nov. 19, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.
Court-related county employees will have flexible furlough days to cover trials.
Sheriff Bill Benedict recommended using the first furlough today because of the inclement weather in the forecast.
Commissioner Mike Chapman said the road department would amass too much overtime because of its plowing responsibilities.
Clallam County Engineer Ross Tyler said road crews would begin plowing school bus routes at 5 a.m. today.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
