County approves five hiring-freeze exceptions for courts, detention, sheriff and clerk's office

Walla Walla County commissioners on July 21 approved five hiring-freeze exception requests to fill positions in court services, detention, the sheriff’s office and the clerk’s office.

What the board approved - Court Services — work crew supervisor: Approved 3-0. County staff said the position is grant-funded by the State Department of Ecology and needed to keep road litter removal and related work active. - Court Services — detention officer: Approved 3-0. Staff said an unexpected resignation left the department short of its funded staffing level; the request was to backfill a vacancy rather than increase authorized full-time positions. - Sheriff’s Office — courtroom security officer: Approved 3-0. Undersheriff Klein and Sheriff’s Office staff reported one full-time courtroom security officer will retire September 1. The sheriff’s office described daily and trial-day workload needs and said security on multiple floors supports safe court operations. - Clerk’s Office — courtroom clerk and senior office assistant receptionist: Approved 3-0. Commissioners noted the clerk’s office is down multiple positions and has been relying on overtime; staff said the positions had become vacant within the prior week and need to be filled to maintain court operations.

Board action: Each hiring-freeze exception was moved, seconded and approved with unanimous aye votes (Fulmer, Kimball, Clayton). Commissioners asked staff to ensure appropriate classification and to post the positions promptly.

Speakers quoted in the meeting record include the commissioners and department representatives who explained staffing needs.