2026-03-04 5:30 PM - Conference of Governments - Minutes

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Mar 5 2026 COG public comments Pat KelleherThe Council of Governments (COG) in Kittitas County is a unique and effective organization of elected officials. The group meets once a month for approximately one hour. During that time, members share concerns from their local jurisdictions and discuss opportunities for cooperative solutions. The Kittitas County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) has provided the COG with a stable funding source of$1.9 million annually. The role of COG is to review proposals and provide recommendations to the BOCC for final approval and execution. Kittitas County already provides appropriate administrative support. The county supplies a recording secretary, and the Public Works Department manages contracting and project tracking. The strength of the COG process has always been the review of proposals that demonstrate real commitment—projects with skin in the game, that improve public services and leverage outside funding. Two good examples include: • The Vantage Sewer District study, which used seed money to move an important project forward. • The South Cle Elum water project, which successfully leveraged outside funding. In contrast, the Roslyn proposal represents a poor example of how the program should work. The request effectively funds deferred maintenance on a municipal water system that still lacks a secure water source and brings no leverage funding to the table. Creating an Executive Director position will not add value to the COG process. COG works precisely because it is a simple forum for elected officials to raise and vet municipal concerns, not because it operates as another layer of government bureaucracy. Kittitas County already faces significant economic challenges. Central Washington University, the county's largest employer, is losing roughly 3,000 students per year. With an average annual cost of attendance near$35,000, that represents more than$100 million leaving the local economy north of University Avenue. CWU must address its own institutional challenges. Likewise, the Council of Governments should remain focused on municipal infrastructure and local government priorities. If the COG wishes to improve business development, the answer is simple: Get a business license—not an Executive Director.