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KITTITAS COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br /> STAFF REPORT FOR <br /> SPECIAL MEETING <br /> Auditor's Office <br /> STUDY SESSION DATE: 8/11/2026 <br /> TOPIC: Unfreeze Deputy Sheriff position <br /> ACTION REQUESTED: Unfreeze Deputy Sheriff Position for remainder of 2026 <br /> LEAD STAFF: Zack DeHaven <br /> BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br /> • The Deputy Sheriff position is currently on the approved FTE roster but has been <br /> frozen for the fiscal year 2026. <br /> • The position is currently included in the 2027 Preliminary Budget at full cost. <br /> • The Sheriff's office is looking for authorization to fill the position now to support <br /> patrol operations. <br /> • 2026 cost range: $10,343 - $12,255 per month plus onboarding costs. <br /> • The position is currently budgeted at$128,680 for 2027 but depending on hired <br /> step, cost ranges from $128,680 - $152,604. <br /> BACKGROUND: During the 2026 budget process, the Sheriff's Office offered three <br /> positions to be frozen as part of the County's efforts to address the General Fund deficit. <br /> In recent years, the Sheriff's Office has also maintained additional vacant positions that <br /> were frozen to help reduce expenditures and preserve General Fund capacity. <br /> The Sheriff's Office currently has approximately $166,000, or 1.4% of its amended <br /> budget, in estimated budgetary capacity. This estimate is based on a straight-line <br /> projection; actual operations and expenditures may vary significantly and could <br /> materially change the amount of available budget capacity. <br /> The Board of County Commissioners has expressed its intent to adopt a net-zero General <br /> Fund budget for 2027. Unfreezing an additional position would increase Kittitas County <br /> Sheriff's Office staffing capacity and potentially improve operations and service levels, <br /> while simultaneously reducing future budgetary flexibility. <br /> FISCAL IMPACTS: This position is funded from unrestricted General Fund reserves. <br /> Calculations are on the next page for County expense based on beginning step of hire. <br /> Page 1 of 2 <br /> Commissioners"Special Meeting Staff Report",8/11/2026 <br />