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09/21/2021 MINUTES 3 <br />MARK COOK, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR reviewed a Staff Report. He said <br />the Prosecutor’s office has verified that Real Estate Excise Tax <br />rate may be increased by one quarter of one percent without County <br />elective process. Kittitas County Code 3.06.02 requires revision <br />from the current one quarter of one percent to a new one half of one <br />percent; consistent with the Board’s legislative authority. He <br />reviewed the 6-year Capital Facilities Plan including a new County <br />Park; improvements to an existing County park; participation in an <br />indoor soccer field with Rotary; development of ATV trails in the <br />Upper County; etc. <br /> THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: JAMES DALEY said he did understand why <br />the tax is being requested and felt it made a lot of sense with the <br />additional people coming into the County. He said the people who <br />will be using the services will help a good share of the costs. SANDY THOMAS questioned why the decision wasn’t going to be made by <br />the entire County, instead of just three Commissioners. TOM CHINI <br />said he actively participated in the increase of 1/10th of 1% for in <br />law enforcement tax and everyone pays it. He said the proposed <br />increase is specific to the Capital Facilities Plan, and therefore <br />it needs to be promoted to everyone and develop a funding package. WAYNE MOLER said he previously submitted an email to the Board prior <br />to the Public Hearing, and he believes the proposal should be <br />inclusive of all residents of the County instead of just the <br />unincorporated areas. CARLO NARDUZZI reviewed some comments which <br />were in the Daily Record on September 18th and the proposed increase <br />to the growth in the County. He said the management of the money is <br />the reality of business and not charity. He didn’t believe the tax <br />should sit on the shoulders of those in the unincorporated areas. COLETTE RARDEN spoke on behalf of the Association of Kittitas County <br />Realtors. She said she’s heard a lot from Commissioner Wright about <br />misinformation from the real estate campaign. She said whatever the <br />statute says the Board of County Commissioners has always had the <br />authority to go to the people for an advisory vote, including the <br />REET statute. She asked the Board to table the vote and see if they <br />can assist with alternative funding sources. GENEVIEVE GILLMAN <br />agreed it should be put to a vote of the people to decide if it’s <br />what they want. She said over the past five years property values <br />have almost doubled and so when people go to sell their home, they <br />will have to pay a lot more due to taxes & fees. She asked the Board <br />to not put the burden on the home sellers. GORDON SCHOLL said he is <br />a 3rd generation realtor. He felt realtors need to do a better job of <br />messaging and as their job they need to be completely transparent <br />and represent everyone they work with. HAILEY HOLBROOK requested the <br />Board to put the issue to the vote of the people. She didn’t feel <br />the decision should be made by the County Commissioners. JIM BROWN <br />spoke in favor of putting the proposal up for public vote. JESSICA KARRAKER said she was torn on giving public comment either way on <br />the proposed tax. She said most people who would be voting on the <br />tax do not own property nor grasp the concept of REET. She said most