Job agency seeks new start

EVERETT - Local labor leaders will rejoin the Workforce Development Council's board of directors. allowing the nonprofit agency to begin rebuilding after auditors raised concerns about questionable spending.
The council's main purpose is to distribute millions of federal and state dollars annually for local employment and job training. It also operates local WorkSource offices to help job seekers.
When state and federal auditors raised questions about some of the agency's spending. the Snohomish County Labor Council's representatives on the board of the workforce council resigned. That left the workforce council potentially unable to win recertification.
"We've indicated we'll be naming people to sit on the board. secretary of the labor council. "We're willing to work to solve the issues and problems."
Sells said he was happy with the selection of Deborah Knutson. president of the Snohomish County Economic Development Council. as the workforce council's interim board chairwoman. He called Knutson his "top pick" to get the agency back on track.
Knutson replaced former board chairwoman Liz Marks. Last week. the workforce council's chief executive officer. also resigned. Sells had said earlier that labor wouldn't be involved with the agency if Causey remained there as chief executive.
Pressure on the workforce council's leaders came after state officials told the council last year that its auditors had found $183.000 in spending that didn't seem to comply with federal rules for those funds. A federal Department of Labor review raised more questions about spending involving more than $500. the council's former finance director filed a federal lawsuit alleging she was fired for alerting outsiders to the agency's questionable spending.
In March. the council missed a deadline to get recertified as the agency overseeing workforce development programs in the county. After that happened. the labor council representatives resigned and demanded change.
Kurt McVay. a former workforce board member who has defended the council's staff and board. said he also sees no reason why the agency can't rebound now.
"The demands that labor made were acquiesced to. Things should be fine as far as certification. who resigned last month because of his unhappiness that Marks and Causey were being pushed out.
Mark Soine. the county's deputy executive. agreed that with the labor council's nominees for the board. the workforce council's recertification could come quickly. The paperwork could be sent to Olympia as early as today.
Meanwhile. the council's board of directors is getting new additions. as the county executive's office will fill vacant board seats with new members. Knutson said. Several members quit in May when chairwoman Marks did.
She wants the board to meet and discuss its expectations for the agency's head before starting to recruit a new chief executive to replace Causey. In the meantime. the workforce council's chief operating officer. will serve as acting chief executive.
Though he's optimistic. McVay added the new chief executive will have big shoes to fill. Despite allegations made about Causey. the local council had one of the best performance ratings among its peers statewide.