Community Government Health & Wellness

Health district laying off 22 employees

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health District plans to lay off 22 staff members next month, an agency spokesperson confirmed in an email to Gig Harbor Now on Thursday.

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The district notified employees late last month that their positions would end Dec. 19, said department spokesperson Kenny Via. Twelve of the eliminated positions were in the administrative services divisions, while others were dispersed throughout the department.

“We prioritized keeping positions that work to bring services directly to Pierce County residents,” Via said. “Because of this, we don’t expect the public to see any immediate impacts on the services we provide.”

KNKX Public Radio first reported news of the layoffs.

Citing projected cuts in federal and state funds, the district’s approved 2026-27 budget includes the elimination of 40 full-time positions, Via said. Actual layoffs were reduced through the acquisition of new funding sources and a pause on hiring for open positions. The agency also put a voluntary retirement incentive in place.

The exact number of affected  workers may change if additional funding is secured before Dec. 19.