County may have to provide benefits

RITZVILLE – The previous hiring of contact-tracers due to the coronavirus may cost Adams County taxpayers more than just wages.

During the Adams County Commission meeting Monday morning, Aug. 2, county government leaders voiced concern that five “temporary” contact-tracers have become eligible for full benefits. Two more temporary employees could breach the threshold later this year.

During the discussion, commissioners were told by staff that there are several “trigger factors” that would force the county to essentially move the contact-tracers to full-time status effective Sept.

“This kind of snuck up on everyone,” Commissioner Jay Weise said.

Commissioner Dan Blankenship questioned if the costs were truly the county’s or if they should be borne by the state or federal government.

“Where is the money coming from for our contact-tracers,” he asked, questioning whether funds for the positions are coming from a state or federal agency, or if the county has to “try to dig more dollars out of our budget.”

To keep contact-tracers from reaching the threshold that requires the county to provide benefits, Blankenship suggested hiring more people to keep individual hours down.

Weise said that while the county has to deal with the problem, it’s being driven “by somebody outside of the realm of Adams County.”

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Roger Harnack, Publisher

Roger Harnack is owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.

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