Press Release
Commissioners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kittitas County Implements Countywide Hiring Freeze

Kittitas County, WA - 10/13/2026 - The Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners today announced a countywide hiring freeze, effective immediately, to ensure responsible stewardship of county resources.

The freeze applies to all county departments and offices, including all positions funded by the general fund and other county funds. No new positions may be created, and no existing vacant positions may be posted, recruited, interviewed for, or filled. The freeze covers full-time, part-time, temporary, seasonal, and contract positions alike.
 
County officials said the step is necessary to protect the county's financial position and preserve the services residents depend on while economic conditions remain uncertain.
A limited set of exceptions is available, each requiring advance written approval from the Board of County Commissioners. Exceptions apply to: 

1. Positions essential to public safety, including sworn law enforcement, corrections, emergency communications, and emergency management, where a vacancy creates an immediate risk to public safety or statutory obligations.
2. Positions required to maintain a service or function the County is legally obligated to provide.
3. Positions funded entirely by an external grant or contract, where the funding source requires the position to be filled and the position generates no net county cost.

The freeze does not affect current employees' employment, scheduled hours, rate of pay, or benefits. Existing employees will continue to receive all pay, leave, and benefits to which they are entitled. Some departments may use reassignments, temporary duties, or coverage arrangements to maintain service levels, and department heads will communicate any such changes directly.
 
Promotions into vacant positions, reclassifications, and position upgrades are paused for the duration of the freeze.
 
The freeze will remain in place until the Board determines the county's financial condition permits it to be lifted. The Board will review the freeze regularly and will lift it by written notice when circumstances allow.
“Our obligation is to deliver the services our residents depend on while acting as careful stewards of the public's money,”  Commissioner Wachsmith said in the announcement.
 

Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us

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Contact: Commissioner Brett Wachsmith
509-962-7508