Whatcom County Council has hired a firm to examine the county’s human resources policies and procedures more than a year after paying a costly settlement to a former employee.
Council approved a $76,500 contract with Matrix Consulting Group in a 7-0 vote on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
The move comes after the county paid $225,000 in November 2023 to settle a claim that a former Public Works director sexually harassed a female employee. The director, Jon Hutchings, resigned ahead of any investigation into the matter and was provided a glowing introduction letter when seeking employment elsewhere in the county.
The council, which was blindsided by the six-figure payout unearthed in a Cascade PBS investigation, launched its own plodding investigation into the handling of sexual harassment and retaliation allegations on April 30, 2024.
“The system needs to be looked at from stem to stern,” council chairman Barry Buchanan said at the time.
The announcement was applauded by nearly 100 Whatcom County employees in a letter to the council in May 2024. The letter stated that regular communication and updates on progress in the investigation were vital “to regain our trust and confidence in the County’s commitment to its employees.”
“We believe that by addressing these concerns promptly and transparently, the County Administration can demonstrate its commitment to the well-being of Whatcom County employees and work towards creating an environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued,” the letter stated.
The council’s investigative subcommittee — made up of council member Todd Donovan, Elenbaas and Buchanan — provided the first update to the rest of the council in an executive session last July.
It released a six-page report in September and requested the county hire an outside consultant to review human resources policies and recommend improvements, where possible.
Matrix Consulting Group was provided a proposed four-month schedule for the undertaking. The outline included an assessment of the current situation in the county; an employee survey; a review of policies; procedures and training; a staffing analysis; and a final report.
The contract is set to run through Aug. 31.
A previous version of this article misstated the final council vote. The article was updated at 11:39 a.m. on Feb. 26. Cascadia Daily News regrets the error.
Isaac Stone Simonelli is CDN’s enterprise/investigations reporter; reach him at isaacsimonelli@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 127.
