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Page 1 of 2 <br />Auditor “Study Session Staff Report”, 8/26/25 <br />KITTITAS COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />STAFF REPORT FOR <br />STUDY SESSION <br /> <br />Auditor <br /> <br />STUDY SESSION DATE: 08-26-25 <br /> <br />TOPIC: Ellensburg Animal Shelter (Discussion / Decision) <br /> <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Discuss / Decide on the Yakima Humane Society request <br />for Ellensburg Animal Shelter funding in the 2026 budget <br />and changes to contract duration. <br /> <br />LEAD STAFF: Zack DeHaven <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION: The Ellensburg Animal Shelter is requesting additional support <br />for the 2026 Budget Cycle and would like the BOCC to consider changes to the <br />contracting process, by lengthening the term of commitment. <br /> <br />BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br />• 2025 Funding $96,000 <br />• 2026 Requested Funding is $162,000 <br />• Yakima Humane Society has been contracted with to provide management of <br />services at Ellensburg Animal Shelter. <br />• Previous level of funding was inadequate – the EAS has operated at a deficit prior <br />2 years. <br />• City of Ellensburg and The County share the expense. <br />• Requested contract total to continue services to Kittitas County is $378,000. <br />• YHS desires a 4-year contract to stabilize operations <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: The Ellensburg Animal Shelter has been operating under the <br />management of the Yakima Humane Society (YHS) while serving County residents. <br />However, the funding provided under the existing contract has been insufficient to meet <br />actual operating costs, resulting in the shelter running at a deficit for the past two years, a <br />trend expected to continue through the current fiscal year. <br /> <br />Over the past year, there has been a notable increase in the number of animals served. <br />Despite ongoing service delivery, key operational expenses remain under funded. In <br />addition, the costs associated with YHS's management oversight and the Spay and Neuter <br />support program have not been reflected in the shelter's budget. <br /> <br />YHS leadership has indicated that without an increase in funding, they may be forced to <br />discontinue services, as the current financial arrangement is unsustainable and adversely <br />impacting their ability to fulfill their core responsibilities. <br />