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COMMISSIONERS’ MINUTES <br />KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON <br />BOCC CONFERENCE ROOM via WEBEX <br />REGULAR MEETING <br />HR STUDY SESSION <br /> <br />TUESDAY 10:00 AM 8/25/2020 <br /> <br />Board members present: Brett Wachsmith, Laura Osiadacz, Cory Wright <br />Others: Greg Zempel, Elishia Harvill, Jodi Hammond, Christopher Horner, Kady Porterfield, Dan Carlson, <br />Patti Johnson, Taylor Crouch, Lisa Young, Jeanne Killgore <br /> <br />CALL TO ORDER <br />The meeting was called to order at 10:00 AM. <br />DISCUSSION/DECISION – PROSECUTOR REQUEST FOR NEW POSITION – OFFICE WORKER <br />HR Director Young presented a request from the Prosecutor for a new Office Worker position with an <br />anticipated start date of 10/01/2020. She summarized that the request appears to be budget neutral <br />due to new revenue from additional diversion cases from the City of Ellensburg. Prosecutor Zempel <br />added that his office has seen a 20% increase in the criminal case load over the past three years. The <br />Office Worker position would take pressure off of the Legal Assistants by handling administrative and <br />records management duties, and other clerical tasks. Chief Deputy Prosecutor Hammond commented <br />that because these tasks don’t require specialized skills at a high rate of pay, it is the most cost-effective <br />way to get the office the help it needs. Commissioner Wright inquired for more details about the <br />revenue stream that would fund this position. Prosecutor Zempel answered that the Prosecutor’s Office <br />has an established diversion program with the City of Ellensburg. The Prosecutor’s Office has taken on <br />additional cases from the City of Ellensburg, and this increased caseload revenue would fund the Office <br />Worker position. Commissioner Wachsmith stated that he supports the position as it is budget neutral. <br />Commissioners Osiadacz and Wright also expressed their support. <br />DISCUSSION/DECISION – EVENT CENTER REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL SEASONAL POSITION <br />Director Young summarized that while an Event Center Maintenance Technician is out on leave, KVEC <br />Director Porterfield would like to bring on a seasonal worker to help complete special projects on the <br />grounds. Director Porterfield explained that with her employee on leave and without access to inmate <br />workers some of the special projects are falling behind schedule. She also pointed out that she has not <br />hired her typical seasonal staff. Due to lack of revenue from the Kittitas County Fair she would like the <br />Board’s blessing before filling one of her seasonal positions. Commissioner Osiadacz expressed support <br />in hiring a seasonal employee, commenting that past experience has shown that deferring maintenance <br />projects just becomes more costly down the line. Commissioner Wachsmith responded that he would <br />like to see budget documents supporting the seasonal position. Commissioner Wright also requested to <br />see written documentation of any budget impact. Director Young will work with Director Porterfield to