BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County has announced a temporary hiring freeze ahead of expected budget shortfalls.

Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu sent an email to county employees the morning of July 15 informing them of the decision. Vacant positions will not be filled for at least 90 days, except for jobs that had already been offered before that Monday morning.

Sidhu says both a lack of new revenue streams and declines in past funding sources have posed a challenge to the county’s budget planning. In a memo sent in May to county leaders, Sidhu specifically listed expiring ARPA funding from the pandemic, increased spending towards criminal justice staffing and higher interest rates.

Sidhu now says the temporary freeze will give leaders time to plan out the county’s budget decisions ahead of the next biennium.

Department heads can still make a request to recruit or fill an open position that classifies as a “critical business need” in some cases if they can find reliable funding for the job.

The county’s website currently lists 18 job openings.