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Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners <br />Finance Study Session (Special) <br />Monday, September 27, 2022 <br />MINUTES <br /> <br />Commissioners Present: <br />Laura Osiadacz, Brett Wachsmith, Cory Wright <br /> <br />Management/Staff Present: <br />Brian Carlson (Budget/Finance Director), Zack DeHaven and Dora Van Epps (Finance Staff), Greg Zempel <br />(Prosecutor), Elishia Harvill (Prosecutor’s Office), Christopher Whitsett (Sheriff’s Office), Kylee Wuestoff <br />(Treasurer’s Office) <br /> <br />1. Call to Order: 1pm <br />2. Citizen Comments (1 min. time limit): none <br />3. Prosecutor Office: Preliminary 2023 Personnel figures <br />Mr. Carlson introduced the topic, and noted that this venue would allow for advance consideration from all <br />parties ahead of BOCC review of Prosecutor’s 2023 budget. <br />Prosecutor Zempel discussed the purpose of the proposal, which is to adjust base salaries to better reflect both <br />internal and external comparable positions, including supervisory roles, departmental budget amounts, and <br />scope. He noted an increase in case loads, in particular among criminal division prosecutors, and emphasize the <br />benefit and long-term savings associated with attracting and retaining high quality and high-performing staff. <br />Ms. Harvill discussed survey methodology. <br />Commissioner Wright inquired about current vacancies, and observed that salary survey’s should reflect total <br />compensation, rather than salaries only. <br />Commissioner Wachsmith stated his preference that any salary considerations be made concurrent with the <br />countywide salary study, and noted that the previous study generated increases to the Prosecutor’s staff. <br />Commissioner Osiadacz also stated her preference to review and consider salary changes within the context of a <br />countywide study, and noted that county wages are above regional median wages. <br />4. ARPA Appropriation Requests <br />Commissioners unanimously directed staff to include contracts for “Happy Feet” and “The Shop” on the next <br />available BOCC agenda, so as to provide 2022 funding for these requests. <br />Commissioner Osiadacz updated the board regarding the upper county cemetery proposal, noting that the <br />water line work is estimated at $135,000, and the wall improvements are estimated at $150,000. <br />Commissioner Wright directed staff to remove the Kittitas CIP funding. He also discussed the pending <br />broadband initiative, noting that the county’s grant-match is currently estimated at $2.8MM. <br />5. Financial Statements Audit Update <br />Mr. Carlson provided an update to the 2021 Financial Statements audit, noting an estimated completion date by <br />end of October. He further discussed ramifications of late filings, noting that the county is not currently <br />classified as a “low risk” audit owing to prior-year’s findings. He further discussed how to ensure that all filings, <br />notices and delinquencies are made current, and the need to do so in advance of any future new bond issues. <br />He outlined next steps between Finance and Treasury staff to rectify all past-due filings.