HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovemberBHTACMaterialsBehavioral Health Tax Advisory Committee
Special Meeting
Thursday November 19, 2026 - 1:00 PM
Commissioners' Auditorium
205 West 5th Room 109 - Ellensburg
1. Call to Order
2. Citizen Comments (1 min. time limit)
3. Approval of Minutes
4. Strategic Planning
5. Other Business - No Action to be taken
6. Concluded
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Created on 11/13/2026 10:10:13 AM
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
COMMISSIONERS' AUDITORIUM
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY 1:00 P.M. OCTOBER 29TH, 2026
Board members present: Pamela Tuggle -Miles, Jodi Larsen, Catherine
"Cay" Crowley, Sandra Shovlain, Brett Wachsmith (Chair)
Others: Emma Madland (Clerk), Robin Read, Kasey Knutson
HOMELESSNESS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING
At 1:00 p.m. Chairman Wachsmith opened the Regular Meeting of the
Behavioral Health Tax Advisory Committee.
INTRODUCTIONS: Board members and guests went around the room to
introduce themselves and offer insight into their background and
what brings them to the committee.
CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR APRIL 30TH, JUNE 25TH, AUGUST 27TH,AND
SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2026: Jodi Larsen moved to approve the minutes as
presented. Cay Crowley second. All in favor. Motion Carried.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE AND RECRUITMENT: Emma Madland shared that another
interview had been conducted with Mr. Michael Canup. Jodi gave an
overview of his background and experiences, and made a
recommendation for him to fill the vacancy Member with Unique
Experience - Substance Use Disorders.
MOTION TO RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF MICHAEL CANUP TO THE BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Jodi Larsen moved to recommend Sandra as a
new member of the committee. Pam Tuggle -Miles second. All in favor. Motion
Carried.
STRATEGIC PLANNING: Robin Read provided data from the committee
environmental scan as well as the Behavioral Health Assessment. The
committee took five minutes to review the data and then engaged in
discussion surrounding this, identifying priorities, and finding
common themes like availability and access to services. The
committee discussed the RFP process and how this work can impact the
10/29/2026 MINUTES 1
identified gaps. Robin shared next steps including narrowing down
priorities to five or less, and developing specific goals.
OTHER BUSINESS — NONE
The meeting concluded at 2:12 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
DEPARTMENT CLERK
Emma Madland
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Brett Wachsmith, Chairman
10/29/2026 MINUTES 2
Behavioral Health Tax Advisory Committee
Data reviewed:
• Behavioral health needs assessment
• Environmental scan
Discussion:
1. Which needs or opportunities feel most urgent?
• # of mental health providers across the county
• Knowledge of resources available (i.e. pamphlet at medical providers)
• Cost as a barrier and lack of insurance acceptance
• Lack of specialized providers
• Transportation as a barrier
• Need for more integration among resources (availability of information)
2. Which areas would make the biggest difference?
• Increase in service providers
• Bolstering early intervention and prevention programs
• More funding
• Inpatient services locally
3. If we were successful, what would be different for the people served?
• Services would be more local
• Readily available services (schools, library, etc.)
• More integration of services
• Improved mental health, less SUD
• Decrease in homelessness, crime
• Increased graduation rates
4. What priorities would make this possible?
• Stability in funding existing programs vs. new programs (funding allocation)
• Prevention
• Building services
• Expand beyond nonprofits
• Improving access to information about services available
• Addressing barriers (ie transportation, cost, etc.)
• Increased integration and collaboration
• Decreased duplication of services
Potential strategic priorities:
1. Expand access to behavioral health services through addressing barriers (i.e.
stigma, transportation, distance, housing, cost, insurance acceptance, and provider
shortages)
Examples:
• Increase provider capacity
• Reduce financial and transportation barriers
• Expand specialized and local services
• Address community stigma
• Provide onsite services for people who are unhoused
2. Strengthen prevention and early intervention services for behavioral health
Examples:
• Strengthen youth prevention
• Increase early identification and intervention
• Build community resilience
3. Improve service navigation and community awareness of behavioral health
services available
Examples:
• Develop coordinated resource information
• Expand outreach and awareness
• Strengthen referral and navigation systems
4. Support integration, collaboration, and coordination of behavioral health services
Examples:
• Enhance cross -sector partnerships
• Improve care coordination
• Reduce duplication and align resources