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04/14/2021 MINUTES 1 <br /> <br /> COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON PUBLIC HEARING SPECIAL MEETING <br /> WEDNESDAY 6:00 P.M. APRIL 14, 2021 <br /> <br />Board members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith; Vice-Chairman Laura <br />Osiadacz; and Commissioner Cory Wright. <br /> <br />Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Mandy Buchholz, <br />Administrative Supervisor; Dr. Mark Larson, Public Health Officer; Doug <br />Fessler, Network Administrator; Sue Higginbotham, Chief Administrator; <br />and approximately 21 members of the public. <br /> <br />Others in attendance via WebEx: Neil Caulkins, Deputy Prosecutor; Clay <br />Myers, Sheriff; and approximately 36 members of the public. PUBLIC HEARING INCREASE IN SALES & USE TAX – MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONERS <br /> <br />At 6:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH opened a Public Hearing to consider a <br />1/10th of 1% increase in Sales and Use Tax as Authorized by RCW 82.14.460 <br />(Sales & Use Tax for Chemical Dependency or Mental Health Treatment <br />Services or Therapeutic Courts). <br /> DR. KEVIN MARTIN shared a power-point presentation and reviewed <br />information on the significant need for increased access to Mental <br />Health services in Kittitas County. He explained how the funds would be <br />used and said they have been providing education to the citizens through <br />the Kittitas County Health Network. He indicated it was long overdue and <br />encouraged the Board to join the other 26 counties in Washington State <br />who have adopted to increase in Sales & Use Tax for chemical dependency <br />and mental health treatment services. <br /> THOSE PRESENT & TESTIFYING: A PROFESSOR AT CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERISTY said over a decade ago he did a research project on the 3/10th <br />of 1% tax and the impacts to what would happen if it was passed or not. <br />He said this proposed increase in tax for Mental Health was just as <br />important and strongly urged the Board to pass it. RICH ELLIOT explained <br />the Behavioral Health Advisory Board would make recommendations on the <br />expenditures to the Board of County Commissioners. He said there were <br />letters of endorsement previously presented to the Board, including one <br />from the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce who endorsed the proposed <br />increase which is telling the business community sees impacts to the <br />community. He also provided data on the number of emergency calls <br />relating to both mental health and behavioral health. DAVID DOUGLAS <br />reiterated who would monitor the funding expenditures to ensure the