HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution Adopting the Veterans Advisory Board Bylaws and Amending MembershipBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF KITTITAS
STATE OF WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD BYLAWS AND
AMENDING MEMBERSHIP
RESOLUTTON No. 2o2s-1ffi
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 2022-187 established the Veterans Advisory Board to advise the
county legislative authority on the needs of local indigent veterans; and
WHEREAS, on September l lth ,2025, draft bylaws were presented to the board to reflect their
mission and committee processes; and
WHEREAS, this resolution amends Resolution No.2022-187, changing membership from 5
members, 2 alternates, and one commissioner to 5-7 members,2 ahemates, and
one commissioner allowing the board to recruit up to 2 additional members if they
see fit; and
WHEREAS, oil September lfh ,2025,the board approved the bylaws as presented; and
WHEREAS, incorporates the Veterans Advisory Board bylaws by reference and attached
hereto; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That the Board of County Commissioners, approves
and adopts the Veterans Advisory Board bylaws as presented.
-/11ADoprED ttris-l aa ay of 7Cfui( 2025.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISIONERS
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ATTEST
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Clerk of The Board *ncrt1 B
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VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD
BYLAWS
Kittitas County Veterans Advisory Board hereby adopt the following rules for the transaction of
its business.
PURPOSE OF ADVISORY BOARD
The initialfunction of the Veterans Advisory Board, as defined in Resolution No. 2022-l-87 is to
"advise the county legislative authority on the needs of local indigent veterans, the resources
available to the local indigent veterans, and programs that could benefit the needs of local
indigent veterans and their families".
Duties
The committee shall collaborate with the Kittitas County Public Health Department
Veteran Services Program and the Board of County Commissioners to:
A. Provide recommendations to the BOCC on services needed for local indigent
veterans as in accordance with RCW 73.08.010(1)
B. Serve as a review board on the effectiveness of current services
C. Annually review the Purpose and Duties of the board
MEMBERSHIP
Board Composition
The committee shall consistof fiveto seven board members, two alternates, and one
county commissioner who serves as the Board Chairperson. All members must be
veterans as stated in RCW 73.08.035. New applicants will be reviewed by the Board and
recommended to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). The members will be
appointed by the BOCC.
Terms of Office
Committee members will serve for a term of 2 years and may request renewal to serve
for additional terms.
Attenda nce/Absentee Pol icy
Three unexcused meeting absences may cause that committee member's name to be
forwarded to the County Commissioners with a recommendation for removal from the
committee.
Members are required to compty with the Kittitas County Boards, Committees, and
Commissions Handbook
CLERK
New Member Recruitment
Recruitment of new applicants is to be led by the procedure as follows:
A. The board is to establish a recruitment subcommittee.
B. The subcommittee shall interview applicants.
C. The subcommittee shall then make a recommendation to the board on which
applicant they believe should move forward.
D. The board shall then vote on the recommended applicant.
E. The board shall then offer recommendation of approved applicant to BOCC.
F. Upon final approval, BOCC shall send a letter to approved applicant.
Member Removal
A. lf a member needs to be removed from the Committee for reasons including
but not limited to unexcused absences, or other reason unknown, the
Committee will vote on this issue: lf a simple majority of the Committee
members in attendance votes to remove a membel the recommendation of
the Committee will be brought forth to the BOCC.
B. The BOCC will review the recommendation of the Committee to remove a
member and will vote to retain or terminate the member's appointment to
the Committee.
The clerk of the board responsibilities are as follows:
A. Publish public notices of all committee meetings at least 24 hours before start time
of the meeting.
B. Attend all Board meetings.
C. Provide reports to the committee about the status of the committee program and
funding recipients.
D. Take meeting minutes for the committee.
E. Work with committee Chairperson to finalize the agenda for each meeting.
F. Facilitate the creation of the RFP document.
G. Send timely reminders and materials to committee members for upcoming meetings
H, Maintain all official records of the committee.
l. Ensure committee bylaws are followed.
J. Ensure committee meeting notifications, agendas, and minutes are posted on the
Kittitas Cou nty website.
K. Maintain and update the County website related to the committee.
Members are required to comply with the Kittitas County Boards, Committees, and
Commissions Handbook
L. Recruit new members for vacancies on the committee as needed
OFFICERS
MEETINGS
The officers of the committee shall be a Chairperson appointed by the Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC) and a Vice-Chairperson, elected from among its designated
members. Members are appointed by BOCC after applicants are reviewed by the
existing committee with recommendations forwarded to the BOCC.
Chairperson
The Chairperson shall (1) preside at all meetings of the committee; (2) create, prepare
and reviewthe agenda for such meetings: (3)setthe time and location of the meetings
Vice-Chairperson
The Vice-Chairperson shall preside and perform the duties of the Chairperson during the
absence of the Chairperson and is responsible for advising staff of the Agenda for the
HAHC meetings.
Election of Officers
At the December meeting of each year, the committee shall elect the Vice-Chairperson.
Nominations may be made from the floor by any member. The Chairperson shall serve
as directed by the BOCC. ln the event of a vacancy in the office of the Chairperson, the
Vice-Chairperson shall direct the Committee. ln the event there is a vacancy in the office
of the Vice-Chairperson, the committee shall vote for a replacement at the next regular
meeting. ln the event there is a simultaneous vacancy in the office of the Chairperson
and Vice-Chairperson, the Board shall elect from its membership at its next succeeding
meeting a Vice-Chairperson. The BOCC will assign a chairperson.
The committee shall hold a quarterly meeting set by the chairman and posted for public
notice. Meeting may be cancelled at discretion of the chairman. All meetings of the
committee shall conform to the Open Public Meetings Act, RCW 42.30. The committee
may adopt such procedures as are necessary to ensure appropriate notice of all
meetings.
Members are required to comply with the Kittitas County Boards, Committees, and
Commlssions Handbook
DECISION MAKING
Quorum/Voting
A quorum shall consist of majority voting members. At any meeting where there is less
than a quorum, the Chairperson for the purposes of such meeting shall have the
authority to adjourn the meeting and establish a date for the next meeting out of the
regular cadence if necessary.
Conflicts of interest
The Board members shall comply with the Code of Ethics for Municipal Officers, 42.23
RCW in the performance of theirduties. Specifically, at anytime a proposal is received
by the committee that appears to benefit any member of the committee, that person
shall recuse themselves from any discussion or decision related to that proposal.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The committee shall seek the involvement of the general public, community organizations, and
private sector interests in its planning and decision-making processes. Public comment period is
included in every agenda and the public is encouraged to participate by commenting on agenda
items and non-agenda items as directed by the chairperson.
SUBCOMMITTEES
Sub-Committees may be established by the committee to assist in the performance of its
function. Sub-Committees may be composed of members of the committee and citizens with
knowledge or talent to contribute to the work of the committee.
AMENDMENTS
The bylaws may be amended at a regular meeting provided that:
A. Proposed amendments have been submitted in writing to the members of
the Committee prior to the first reading; and
B. A simple majority of the members of the Committee vote in favor of
implementation of any amendment.
Final approval of bylaw amendments is made by the Board of County Commissioners by
Resolution at a monthly agenda session.
Members are required to comply with the Kittitas County Boards, Committees, and
Commlssions Handbook
COUNTY COMMISSION ER'S APPROVAL:
ra Osiada Chair Date
Cory Wright, Vice Chair
Brett Wachsmith, Commissioner
Members are required to complywith the Kittitas County Boards, Committees, and
Commlssions Handbook