Snohomish County, Wash. – On June 9, Snohomish County Councilmember Nate Nehring proposed an amendment to provide relief for business and workers in unincorporated Snohomish County in response to Executive Somers’ hazard pay proposal.
The amendment comes on the heels of the proposal by County Executive Dave Somers to mandate $4 per hour hazard pay for grocery store workers in unincorporated Snohomish County, which was presented to the County Council June 8 at its General Legislative Session.
Rather than mandate that private businesses provide hazard pay, Nehring’s amendment would use part of the County’s federal C OVI D relief dollars to fund the hazard pay.
“Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) which sent over $160M to Snohomish County. The intent of those federal funds is to be used on COVID-related expenditures,” said Nehring. “If it is the desire of the Council to move forward with hazard pay, it is only appropriate that it be financed with those federal relief funds and not mandated onto private businesses. My proposed amendment would tie this action with the federal relief funds appropriated by Congress.”
The amendment by Nate Nehring to the hazard pay proposed ordinance will be considered at a 10:30 a.m. Public Hearing on June 23.
For questions about the proposal or more details about the meeting, please contact Councilmember Nehring’s office by email at nate.nehring@snoco.org or russell.wiita@snoco.org or call 425-512-4810 or 425-626-4173.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
