The Snohomish County Council on Wednesday ordered a hiring freeze for all county employees in response to a projected $9 million budget shortfall in 2009.

The council's action was a rebuke to County Executive Aaron Reardon, who in late June ordered county officials to seek approval for any new positions from his finance department.

Council members said only they have authority to impose a countywide hiring freeze and that Reardon legally can't dictate the personnel decisions of other county elected officials. Council budget Chairman Brian Sullivan said the action averts a "constitutional crisis" over the separation of the legislative and executive branches.

Reardon quickly criticized the council for not taking action sooner.

"We've spoken for months about the importance of freezing positions and shoring up finances for next year's budget. Wednesday's council action comes a little late," he said.

Reardon said his June executive order meant the county had not filled more than 160 county positions, saving the county money toward next year's budget.

The county released updated figures last month that showed its projected shortfall growing from $4 million to $9 million. Real-estate taxes from home sales and new construction are down more than $4 million over last year. Investment income also has fallen dramatically.

The Snohomish Health District, which receives about $3 million annually from the county, is also facing a $4.4 million budget shortfall and announced it will lay off 35 employees before the end of the year.

County Councilman Mike Cooper said the council needed to address the fiscal crisis.

"We're facing the year with a shortfall; our health district is in crisis. We have to make tough decisions," he said.

The council's emergency ordinance extends to all regular, temporary and acting positions but exempts staff supervised by the executive, the county council chief of staff, chief administrators of the superior and district courts and the chief officer of each executive department.

County Prosecutor Janice Ellis said she raised the issue of Reardon's authority to impose a hiring freeze in a letter to the council last week. She said the council's action Wednesday is consistent with the county charter.

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