County workers worry about losing jobs

By Keri Brenner | The Olympian • Published June 15, 2008

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OLYMPIA – Thurston County workers say they're used to "doing more with less," but they're not ready to "do more with less staff," a longtime employee said.

"I'm sure people are concerned -- especially those people just recently hired," Bob Drewett, county court security supervisor, said.

Drewett, an 11-year county veteran, said the news last week of possible layoffs in some county departments took many by surprise.

"All of a sudden, your job may be in jeopardy," Drewett said of the mood at the county courthouse. "People don't understand why it's happening."

In a memo to county department heads, the county commissioners asked for voluntary budget cuts of up to 10 percent. The reductions are to make up for a $4 million shortfall in the preliminary 2009 general fund, commissioners said.

The general fund, which started this year at $78.5 million, needs to be trimmed to $74.6 million by the end of the year, a commissioners' worksheet says.

The total 2008 county budget is about $238 million; the general fund finances direct county services such as parks, roads, law enforcement, prosecutors and the jail.

Around the courthouse, many were shaking their heads.

"Granted, there's some concerns about the economy," Drewett said. "But you gotta wonder if that's all of it."

County department heads, such as Sheriff Dan Kimball, said they might not be able to avoid layoffs or service cuts. Kimball said that he might have to let go up to 22 deputies, corrections officers and administrative staff members and reduce responses to lesser crimes.

Prosecuting Attorney Ed Holm said he will try to avoid layoffs by hiring lower-wage staff to handle duties that ideally would be done by prosecutors. Money left when top prosecutors leave or retire will go toward hiring support staff, he added.

"We're using salary savings to hire clerks because we can do that without having to get (commissioners') approval," Holm said.