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09/21/2021 MINUTES 4 <br />of the people didn’t show up to the Mental Health tax which would <br />have affected everyone. She encouraged people to look more into what <br />REET is to see what benefits there could be for the County. JIM BECKER said he was part of the Towns to Teanaway and felt the County <br />needed to have a Recreation Department. He felt it had been <br />misrepresented to the public by saying the taxes were going to <br />double, as it’s a very benign tax and benefits would out way any tax <br />liabilities. KEN RUSCH said he was a local realtor in Kittitas <br />County and understands what REET 2 could do for the community. He <br />said the realtors put together the campaign to make the public aware <br />of what was going on, not against the Commissioners. KITTY WALLACE <br />said she was a realtor and property owner in Kittitas County. She <br />thanked Commissioners Wright for his video that had clear and <br />concise information on the proposed tax. She encouraged the <br />Commissioners to allow their constituents to vote on the matter. MATTHEW LUNDH thanked the Board for making the tough call and doing <br />the best for the citizens of Kittitas County. NICKY PASI said she <br />fully supported the tax increase. She felt the quality of outdoors <br />and ability to access it drives the value and quality of life in <br />Kittitas County. PAT DENEEN expressed his opposition to the negative <br />campaign that was put out by the realtors. He said he personally <br />supported the REET 2 tax as it’s being presented. He felt the County <br />needed a parks department for trails; parking; improved access to <br />county streams; and better roads. RORY SAVAGE said he did not <br />support the REET 2 increase however, he understands County issues, <br />but it should be applied by the vote of the people. MARGO CORDINOR <br />said she didn’t feel the County should make the decisions on their <br />own. She felt if they were allowed to make those decisions, they <br />would keep doing it and she didn’t feel comfortable with it. THERE BEING NO OTHERS REQUESTING TO TESTIFY, THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE HEARING WAS CLOSED. <br /> COMMISSIONER WRIGHT moved to approve Ordinance No. 2021-011, <br />Amending Kittitas County Code Chapter 3.09 Real Estate Excise Tax. <br />The motion died for the lack of a second. <br /> VICE-CHAIRMAN OSIADAZ moved that the Board of County Commissioners <br />work with the Auditor’s office to place REET 2 on the ballot for the <br />vote of the people for either a final or advisory vote on the 2022 <br />General Elections Ballot whichever is legally allowable, then to <br />decide on whether to enact REET 2 based on the majority vote. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH seconded. <br /> COMMISSIONER WRIGHT said the public vote for this Board has been <br />asked, answered, and he’s disappointed to hear it. He said the law <br />states the increase may be approved by the legislative body and <br />precedence was previously set by a previous Board by voting in REET <br />1 with a 2-1 vote. He said an advisory vote has significant costs <br />associated by the County and questioned why money should be spent