2021-04-14-minutes-public-hearing-mental-health-tax

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04/14/2021 MINUTES 3 She shared personal experiences and said there are wonderful people in the community who have tried to help, but the community needs more services. DEDE UTLEY, KVH NURSING DIRECTOR spoke in support of the increase in sales tax and said they have been seeing an increase in patients in ER with both mental health and substance use disorders. She said by passing the tax would open-up more opportunities for those in need. ERIN ZAMZOW supported the proposed increase in sales tax and the need to support mental health services. GREG AUBOL, DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL WASHINGTON COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE urged the Board to approve the increase in sales tax to address the mental health issues in Kittitas County. He reviewed how the additional funding would have a positive impact throughout the community in various ways. DR. HANNAH DUNNING said she practices in King County and she cares for a lot of kids and families who cannot find resources in their communities such as Kittitas County. She asked the Board to vote in favor of the tax. JOY STOCHOSKY provided testimony regarding the need for resources and urged the Board to approve the tax. KARA HENDERSON said she was a nurse in the Emergency Department at KVH and urged the Board to approve the tax to assist with the need for mental health resources in our community. LAURA CROOKS, CHILDRENS VILLAGE and CO-FOUNDER OF CHAD’S LEGACY said she was a mother who lost a son to suicide and how first responders cannot be mental health counselors too. There is a significant need for mental health services and urged the Board to pass the tax and provide hope for the future. LIZ WHITAKER said the funding would make a difference in the community and be able to provide more services to citizens. SUE GUNN, CENTRAL WASHINGTON NCOMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE provided testimony on how law enforcement must deal with some very difficult situations relating to mental health issues and felt there was a big need to expand programming in Kittitas County. CLAY MYERS, SHERIFF spoke of new programs and grants that have been approved, but those are only temporary. He said it was important to remove some of the barriers for people who need immediate treatment. He said he did not have any concerns with the plan and sees benefits to the County if the tax is approved either by the Board or the voters. He indicated that as an individual he would vote in favor of it if it were placed on ballot. JESSICA KARRAKER felt the issue should go on the ballot and to give people a voice and weigh in on their opinion. She said if it’s a quality product it shouldn’t be a hard sell. THERE BENG NO OTHERS REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED. VICE-CHAIRMAN OSIADACZ said she had questioned and debated over the last year whether it is an advisory vote. NEIL CAULKINS, DEPUTY PROSECUTOR said should the Board decide to put this potential increase in tax to the voters, it is not an advisory vote. If the public were to decide affirmative, the Board would need to enact the tax. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH moved to approve Ordinance No. 2021-005, and to enact a Sales and Use tax for Mental Health purposes, as the legislative body. The motion died due to a lack of a second.