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BACKGROUND: The County has historically utilized a Road Fund diversion to support <br /> General Fund activities associated with road-related public safety services, particularly <br /> Sheriff's Office traffic enforcement and traffic safety activities in the unincorporated <br /> area. <br /> The diversion has not been taken for multiple years. Initially, the diversion was forgone <br /> in connection with the Emergency Operations Center/Search and Rescue land <br /> arrangement. Following the failed road levy, the County continued to stay the diversion <br /> due to concerns regarding the Road Fund's financial condition. <br /> During this period, the Sheriff's Office did not experience a direct budget reduction equal <br /> to the amount of the forgone diversion. However, the General Fund has continued to <br /> experience structural operating deficits, resulting in budget constraints and <br /> reprioritization across General Fund departments, including the Sheriff's Office. <br /> Year Deputy Traffic EXP <br /> 2022 $238,725 <br /> 2023 $284,580 <br /> 2024 $291,380 <br /> 2025 $322,625 <br /> 2026 $370,329 <br /> Total $1,507,639 <br /> The diversion amount is calculated using Sheriff's Office and KITTCOM reporting <br /> regarding traffic-related activity on County roads and the associated cost per Deputy <br /> hour. The 2025 activity (used for 2026 Calculation) was estimated at approximately <br /> 4,162 hours. <br /> The Kittitas County Road Fund has already undergone budget reductions to address <br /> funding constraints, including reductions in preventative maintenance, staffing, local <br /> projects,bridge repair, and future capital programming. These pressures are expected to <br /> be compounded by the phase-out of REET II revenue. <br /> An additional $400,000 diversion from the Road Fund would have a measurable impact <br /> on preventative maintenance. Based on current estimates, the reduction could decrease <br /> annual preventative maintenance by approximately 20.4 miles, or 34%. Delaying <br /> preventative maintenance can accelerate deterioration of the road network and may <br /> ultimately result in higher-cost rehabilitation or reconstruction. <br /> Reduced Road Fund capacity may also affect the County's ability to provide local <br /> matching funds and compete for State and Federal transportation grants. <br /> Page 2 of 3 <br /> Auditor"Special Meeting Staff Report",8/11/2026 <br />