2021-12-07-minutes-public-hearing-mental-health-tax

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12/07/2021 MINUTES 2 said the funding would be a great opportunity for assisting with expanding services and he encouraged the Board to approve increasing the Sales & Use Tax. DAVID DOUGLAS expressed his support of the proposal and reviewed the substantial increase in mental health and substance use issues not only nationwide, but locally. He felt the County would see many benefits and a positive return with additional funding from the proposed sales & use tax. DELORES IRWIN, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS encouraged the Board to put the issue onto the ballot. EMILY BROWN felt it’s been a long process and supported the proposal, stating how treatment services were just as important as medical services. GAYLE SCOTT said it’s been a very stressful time for everyone, and the proposal was timely as additional resources for mental health services is needed. GEORGE LONG expressed his support of the proposal and encouraged the Board to approve the tax. GREG AUBOL, DIRECTOR OF COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH, said there’s been significant process in obtaining funding since last spring, but only with grants, noting those were not sustainable. He supported the increase in tax and encouraged the Board to approve the proposal. JACKIE HERUM said mental health issues were close to her heart as she’s been involved with programs since the mid 90’s. She requested the Board to vote to approve the proposed mental health tax. JESSICA KARRAKER said while she agreed there’s a mental health crisis and need for additional resources, she didn’t believe in government overreach, and requested the Board put the issue on an upcoming ballot. She felt it would allow the voters to express themselves and give the Board an overall feeling of support or non- support of the proposal. She said if the Board approves the additional tax without going before a vote of the people, it will set a precedence. JOHN BROTHERTON, MERIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS explained there was a significant need for additional resources in the community and urged the Board to approve the proposed tax increase. JOY STOCHOSKY encouraged the Board to support the increase in sales & use tax. KEN WADE, CITY OF ELLENSBURG CHIEF OF POLICE, said the increase in sales and use tax funding would go a long way in the current crisis and thanked the Board of Commissioners for supporting the proposal. DR. KEVIN MARTIN, KITTITAS VALLEY HOSPITAL, said the increase in tax would not be a solution to everything, it is just a beginning to address the issues in the community. He reviewed the toll mental health and substance use disorders take on first responders and said the Board needed to enact the tax. MELISSA DENNER, MERIT RESOURCES SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE, expressed support of the proposed tax and explained how recovery was possible if people have access to resources. MICHELE CAWLEY said she deals with those who do not have access to services on a daily basis. She said patients end up going to the emergency room when in crisis because there’s no resources available. She encouraged the Board to enact the proposed tax. NANCY GOODLOE acknowledged that increasing taxes was not an easy thing to do, she felt the proposal was necessary due to the lack of resources. She encouraged the Board to support the tax. NANCY LILLQUIST expressed her support for the proposed tax and