Stop The Brain Drain!
Valuable employees are leaving the city. Since the current mayor took office in 2022, there has been an unprecedented departure of city directors and staff. I believe as an elected official a mayor should have the goal to inspire, motivate, work with and retain city staff. In Lynnwood, there is something wrong with the culture at City Hall when you see city workers leaving at a dramatic rate.
Since 2022 below are some of the most experienced employees who have left the city. These departures have had a dramatic impact on employee efficiency and morale.
- Director of Human Resources
- Police Chief
- Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts
- Assistant City Administrator
- Strategic Manager
- Deputy Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts
- Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Executive Assistant
- Procurement Manager/City Clerk
- City Council Executive Assistant
- Community Planning Manager
- Senior Planner
- Finance Supervisor
Finance Department: This department has a staff of 24, in the last two years 17 employees have left that department. This high turnover resulted in a Letter of Management dated February 2024, from the Washington State Auditor. In 2022 the finance department waived over $350,000 in utility late fees. The Auditor determined there was a lack of adequate controls over utility payments.
The finance department is just one example of the consequences when experienced employees leave the city. As mayor, I want to make sure that the city is a place where experienced employees will want to stay and do their best work for all our residents.