WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A hiring freeze for Whatcom County positions has been lifted.

Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu signed an order on Wednesday, Feb. 26, rescinding a measure he signed in July of last year.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that declining revenue sources and increases in criminal justice spending were part of the reasons why the freeze was instituted. In his order, Sidhu said that decisions related to filling employment vacancies will be in the hands of department heads.

His office will still monitor and review requests to determine if other savings options are available.

At the time this article was published, the Whatcom County jobs website lists 19 available positions.