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1 Kittitas County r� Public Health Department To Protect and Promote the Health and the Environment of the People of Kittitas County Personnel KCPHD is not requesting any new positions in 2026, and at the time of writing this document, does not have any anticipated vacancies. The department has three changes to positions planned in 2025 that are represented in the 2026 budget. Epidemiologist Updated to Regional Epidemiologist Beginning in January 2026, KCPHD will enter into an interlocal agreement with the Grant County Health District (GCHD) to transition the Epidemiologist position into a Regional Epidemiologist to support both Kittitas and Grant Counties. In doing so, KCPHD is able to receive new FPHS funding specifically to support the regional epidemiologist model, which offset the current biennial FPHS reductions. While initially prompted by budget reductions, shiftingto a shared service model has many benefits. Both KCPHD and GCHD have determined that while there is a need for local epidemiology skills and activities, neither jurisdiction requires a full FTE to meet these needs. Sharing the role ensures that staff time and skills are used most efficiently and effectively. It is anticipated that this change will help address hiring challenges for skilled professional roles such as epidemiology, and will expose the position to more diverse communities and disease rates, behavior, and outbreaks, increasing knowledge and experience that can benefit both jurisdictions. Finally, this effort increases coordination between LHJs to prevent or mitigate outbreaks that cross county borders. The Regional Epidemiologist will remain a KCPHD employee at 1.0 FTE and will dedicate approximately 0.6 FTE to support for GCHD. Quality Improvement Coordinator - Eliminated Due to reductions in FPHS funds beginning July 2025, KCPHD eliminated the vacant Quality Improvement Coordinator position. If future funds are identified that can support this position, KCPHD will request to add the position back into the budget. However, with current 2026 budget projections, it is not anticipated. KCPHD is fortunate that current staff provide a strong background in quality improvement and are able to support that function in a limited capacity. Quality improvement is an important element of public health's continuous improvement cycle but given the choice between eliminating a vacant non -mandated role and laying off a current staff member, the loss of the Quality Improvement specific role was the best choice at this time. Special Programs Coordinator - Eliminated The Special Programs Coordinator position was eliminated, and primary job duties were split between two positions. The Human Services Manager retained the Public Information Officer duties (due to the significant training and experience of the individual in the position) and the Developmental Disabilities program activities moved into a new position, the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Specialist. The DD Specialist is a 0.8 FTE role that focuses entirely on DD work. Kittitas County Public Health Department— 2026 Preliminary Budget Narrative Page 5 of 25