Program, staff cuts at health district
Published on Wed, Aug 26, 2009Read More Local News
Beginning October 1, families in Snohomish County will have fewer public health resources available to them.
Continued budget woes forced the Snohomish County Health District board to approve a new round of reductions in public health programs and staffing at its August 11 meeting. The cuts will take effect October 1.
Despite earlier cuts, a short-term loan from Snohomish County, a year-long hiring freeze, and increased fees for services, the Health District is facing a $200,000 shortfall for 2009 and a projected $1.2 million deficit in 2010.
The staff reductions will mean the reduction or elimination of services in six programs and the loss of more than 25 employees.
The programs affected by the latest round of cuts include First Steps (home visits), the Tuberculosis Program, Hepatitis Prevention, Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic, Disease Investigation Specialist and program administration. A $150,000 emergency preparedness fund was also eliminated.
The cuts represent the third reduction in force for the public health district in seven months, dropping the total employee count to 205, a 22 percent loss since August 2008.
The first cuts at the agency this year took effect on January 1, when the equivalent of 18 full-time jobs were eliminated. The second layoffs, effective August 1, meant the loss of 13 jobs.
Continued budget woes forced the Snohomish County Health District board to approve a new round of reductions in public health programs and staffing at its August 11 meeting. The cuts will take effect October 1.
Despite earlier cuts, a short-term loan from Snohomish County, a year-long hiring freeze, and increased fees for services, the Health District is facing a $200,000 shortfall for 2009 and a projected $1.2 million deficit in 2010.
The staff reductions will mean the reduction or elimination of services in six programs and the loss of more than 25 employees.
The programs affected by the latest round of cuts include First Steps (home visits), the Tuberculosis Program, Hepatitis Prevention, Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic, Disease Investigation Specialist and program administration. A $150,000 emergency preparedness fund was also eliminated.
The cuts represent the third reduction in force for the public health district in seven months, dropping the total employee count to 205, a 22 percent loss since August 2008.
The first cuts at the agency this year took effect on January 1, when the equivalent of 18 full-time jobs were eliminated. The second layoffs, effective August 1, meant the loss of 13 jobs.
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