05.11.2026 PW SS Briefing - Laserfiche WebLink

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KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS—BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: May 11, 2026 TOPIC: First Amendment to the Contract for Services Sale of Water Mitigation Certificates ACTION REQUESTED: Authorize execution of the contract amendment LEAD STAFF: Arden Thomas RECOMMENDATION: Move to approve resolution to authorize execution of first amendment to the contract for services for sale of mitigation certificates BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Kittitas County operates a water banking program that provides for the sale of water mitigation certificates. • Kittitas County previously executed a 5-year Contract for Services for the sale of mitigation certificates with Nelson Gelbvieh Ranch Water Bank, LLC. • This contract expires on May 18, 2026. • Nelson Gelbvieh Ranch Water Bank, LLC wishes to assign its interest in this contract and all related water rights to Nelson Ltd Partnership. • All parties would like to extend the current contract for an additional five years. • A contract amendment has been prepared that assigns this interest pursuant to Section 12 of the existing agreement, and extends the agreement for an additional five years. BACKGROUND: Kittitas County operates a water banking program that provides for the sale of water mitigation certificates. A water mitigation certificate enables applicants to demonstrate that they have legal access to water, as required by KCC 13.35.027. Water mitigation certificates are available through the County water bank and through private water banks. On May 18, 2021, Kittitas County executed a Contract for Services for the Sale of Water Mitigation Certificates with Nelson Gelbvieh Ranch Water Bank, LLC ("NGR"). This agreement enables Kittitas County to sell NGR water rights under the same terms under which the County sells county-owned water. Page 1 of 4 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT