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2026-04-14 MINUTES <br />KITTITAS COUNTY <br />HR STUDY SESSION MINUTES <br />BOCC CONFERENCE ROOM, 205 W 5TH AVE., ROOM 108, ELLENSBURG <br />REGULAR MEETING <br /> <br />TUESDAY 10:00 AM 4/14/2026 <br /> <br />Board Members Present: Brett Wachsmith, Laura Osiadacz <br />Others Present: Clay Myers, Mike Hougardy, Chelsey Loeffers, Josh Fredrickson, Therese Murphy, Jeanne <br />Killgore <br /> <br />CALL TO ORDER <br />The meeting was called to order at 10:00 AM. <br />CITIZEN COMMENTS (1 MINUTE TIME LIMIT) <br />None. <br />DISCUSSION/DECISION – PUBLIC WORKS STAFFING <br />Public Works Director Fredrickson presented a request to reclassify the County Engineer position to Deputy <br />Director/County Engineer. He explained that recruitment efforts to fill the County Engineer vacancy have been <br />unsuccessful. The Board approved the reclassification and directed staff to begin the recruitment process. <br />DISCUSSION/DECISION – ASSESSOR’S OFFICE STAFFING <br />Assessor Hougardy requested Board approval to begin the recruitment process for a new Appraiser I prior to the <br />retirement of the current Appraiser IV – Lead Appraiser. He explained that the overlap would allow training of the <br />new employee while the current employee transitions out of the County. The Board approved the request. <br />DISCUSSION/DECISION – POLITICAL ACTIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION <br />HR Director Killgore requested Board review and approval of an agency-wide communication regarding the <br />County’s political activity personnel policy. She explained that it is an active election cycle with several County <br />staff running for election or reelection, and a friendly reminder regarding the County’s policy may be helpful. The <br />Board provided direction to move forward with the communication. <br />CLOSED SESSION – RCW 42.30.140(4)(B) <br />The OPMA does not apply to that portion of a meeting during which the governing body is planning or adopting the <br />strategy or position to be taken by the governing body during the course of any collective bargaining negotiations, or <br />grievance or mediation proceedings, or reviewing the proposals made in the negotiations or proceedings while in progress. <br />The Board entered closed session to discuss collective bargaining with Sherif Myers, DPA Murphy, and Director <br />Killgore. The Board exited closed session with direction to staff not to proceed with mid-contract union <br />discussions. <br />The Board reentered closed session with Public Health Director Loeffers, DPA Murphy, and Director Killgore. <br />The Board exited closed session with no action taken.