SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash – At its regular business meeting on Tuesday, December 10, the Board of Health took action on a number of key items for the Snohomish Health District. The first of which was adoption of the agency’s 2020 budget.
This adopted budget includes the following:
- A balanced budget with $16,754,005 in revenue;
- Total expenditure reduction of $366,151 over the 2019 amended budget;
- Staff reduction of 12.9 budgeted FTEs over the 2019 budget;
- Transition of Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to community partners by June 30, 2020; and
- Reduction in First Steps and several non-represented staff members effective March 31, 2020.
The final vote came after a dozen budget ad hoc committee meetings with the Board and leadership, as well as two public hearings. The program and staffing reductions are largely the result of revenues for those programs not keeping pace with the costs to operate them.
“This decision does not mean WIC services are being eliminated in Snohomish County,” said Nancy Furness, prevention services director for the District. “We are working closely with the Washington State Department of Health to ensure a smooth transition for our clients to the new WIC provider(s) who will assume the contract moving forward.”
The final actions of the meeting were to extend a contract with Dr. Chris Spitters as the interim health officer and to officially name Shawn Frederick as administrative officer of the Snohomish Health District, subject to final execution of an employment agreement. Frederick had been serving as Interim Administrator since June.
"Shawn has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and has helped navigate this agency through many complex, critical decisions over the past several months," said Stephanie Wright, chair of the Board of Health. "From one of the toughest budgets in recent years to supporting the Board as we finalize a new strategic plan, it was clear to the Board that this was the right decision to move the agency forward."
Frederick joined the District as the Healthcare Coalition Coordinator in March 2016 before being promoted to the Administrative Services Director in July 2017. Prior to that, he served as a medical and dental practice manager for Community Health Center of Snohomish County for five years, following 20 years of active duty service in the United States Navy.
“I am humbled to be appointed by the Board to serve in this capacity,” said Frederick. “It is a true honor, and I look forward to focusing on the future of public health in Snohomish County.”
The Snohomish Health District works for a safer and healthier community through disease prevention, health promotion, and protection from environmental threats. To read more about the District and for important health information, visit www.snohd.org.