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08/04/2026 MINUTES 1 <br />COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON CONFERENCE ROOM SPECIAL MEETING <br />MONDAY 10:00 AM AUGUST 3, 2026 <br />Board members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith; Vice-Chairman Laura <br />Osiadacz. <br /> <br />Others: Jodi Larsen, Office Administrator; Greg Zempel, Prosecuting <br />Attorney; Jodi Hammond, Chief Criminal Deputy; Stephanie Hartung, <br />Chief Civil Deputy; James McCubbin, Deputy Prosecutor III, Therese <br />Murphy, Deputy Prosecutor III; Elishia Harvill, Chief Administrator; <br />Zack Dehaven, Budget & Finance Director. <br /> <br /> CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE SPECIAL MEETING: QUARTERLY UPDATE WITH PROSECUTOR COMMISSIONERS <br />At 10:00 a.m. Chairman Wachsmith called a Special Meeting to order <br />with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office management staff. <br />The Prosecuting Attorney's Office provided an administrative update, <br />including an overview of grant and funding sources, the impact of <br />funding reductions, and the current status of Fund 130. Chief <br />Administrator Harvill reported that staff are actively pursuing <br />alternative funding sources and grant opportunities to help offset <br />reductions from other funding entities. <br />Prosecuting Attorney Zemple provided a staffing update, noting that <br />the office anticipates a vacancy effective October 1 and is currently <br />recruiting for the position. <br />Deputy Prosecuting Attorney III James McCubbin presented a litigation <br />letter to ALSC Architects regarding the Ellensburg Rodeo Arena <br />Improvement Project and requested the Chair's signature. Commissioner <br />Osiadacz moved to approve and sign the letter as presented. Chairman <br />Wachsmith seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0. <br />Deputy Prosecuting Attorney III Therese Murphy and Budget and Finance <br />Director Zack DeHaven reported that they are working with the City of <br />Ellensburg to finalize a contract for Office of Public Defense <br />services. Once that agreement is completed, staff plans to pursue <br />similar agreements with the remaining municipalities. <br />Chief Criminal Deputy Jodi Hammond reviewed current criminal <br />caseloads, reporting a 30% increase in filings since October,