The layoffs aren’t unusual for a new executive, Zahilay’s team says—it’s just that the county hasn’t had a new leader in 16 years.
By Erica C. Barnett
King County Executive-Elect Girmay Zahilay, the first new county executive since Dow Constantine was elected in 2008, reportedly plans to lay off his predecessor’s entire executive staff, along with at least some department heads and deputy directors, as part of a major restructuring of the executive branch of county government.
According to Zahilay’s transition team, the restructure will impact around 100 out of 133 people currently serving in appointed positions.
Some of these appointed staffers will have the opportunity to apply for new positions (Zahilay’s transition website has an open application page), while others, whose jobs are being eliminated, will be encouraged to apply for other county positions. Zahilay reportedly plans to announce a new organizational structure for his office this week and start hiring for new positions in December.
“All current appointees are eligible and encouraged to reapply for new job postings when they come up,” Zahilay transition team spokesman Erik Houser said. “If current appointees are not a fit for the new job postings, the transition is supporting them to find other opportunities in county government.”
The changes, which come after 16 years of relative stability under Constantine, came as a seismic shock to many longtime executive branch staffers when Zahilay’s team announced them at a meeting last Friday. Staff reported feeling disrespected and caught off-guard by the sudden, disruptive change.
Houser said it’s “normal” for a new administration to come in with their own team and priorities. “Appointed staff working in the Executive Department are advised at the time of hire that they serve at the pleasure of the Executive,” Houser said.
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The move, Houser added, “is a structural one based on the strategic shift in direction that a new Executive brings, and not a reflection of how current staff are performing.”
While the mass layoffs have come as a surprise to many county employees, a similar process has become routine in Seattle, where voters have elected a new mayor every four years starting in 2009. Seattle mayor-elect Katie Wilson is announcing more details about her own transition team tomorrow, and is expected to bring in her own executive staff and announce new directors for many city departments.
Because Constantine stepped down early to take over as Sound Transit director, Zahilay’s term will start on November 25, but he plans to continue paying appointed staff who will lose their jobs next year through January 2, which will also keep them on county health insurance through the end of January.
erica@publicola.com
Erica, Constantine did exactly the same thing when he took over in 2009. And, as a member of Executive Ron Sims staff, I knew it was going to happen. Any one who is shocked or surprised by Executive-elect Zahily’s action was not paying attention when they were hired as an appointed staffer.
That’s not true. Constantine didn’t clear out 75% of the existing office. This is just government being government versus government trying to be effective and efficient. So much waste being created in scrapping talent and systems. All of which could’ve easily been reorganized and even retained if need be. Instead they start from scratch and the taxpayer pays. We’re all just bureaucrats trying to balance protecting the public’s interest and innovation. It seems like really bad (and wasteful) business practice to just bring in a new regime. That’s the kind of shit Trump does. Lol.
And there has been very little support to help staff find new jobs, lol. Just platitudes so far. Not a great foot to start on.