2021-04-12-minutes-blake-decision-implications

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04/12/21 MINUTES 1 COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON WEBEX SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY 3:30 P.M. APRIL 12, 2021 Board members present via Webex: Chairman Brett Wachsmith; Vice- Chairman Laura Osiadacz; and Commissioner Cory Wright. Others via Webex: Taylor Crouch, Administrative Assistant; Greg Zempel, Prosecutor; Amy Cziske, Treasurer; Judy Pless, Budget and Finance Manager; Elisha Harvill, Chief Administrator; Jodi Hammond, Chief Criminal Deputy; Neil Caulkins, Chief Civil Deputy; and Chris Horner, DPA III. SPECIAL MEETING BLAKE DECISION IMPLICATIONS COMMISSIONERS At 3:30 p.m. Chairman Wachsmith opened a Special Meeting to have a discussion with County Staff on the Blake decision implications. Greg Zempel, Prosecutor reviewed with the Board what the Blake Case heard at the Washington State Supreme Court would affect the County. This decision has implications on cases related to the simple drug possession law dating back to 1971. Rough estimates have this affecting around 4,000 cases in the County. The Prosecutor’s Office has been waiting on more information from the legislature on if this would be the fiscal responsibility of the State or the County. The Prosecutor’s Office has a model they plan to use which will route letters to affected parties where they can file a Claim for Damages. This allows their office a bit of grace period to see how the legislature reacts. There was discussion on the diversion program and drug courts and how these programs may look moving forward. This decision led to needing to re-sentence some through Superior Court, leading to more of a backlog of cases due to COVID. This will be brought back before the Board once more pieces have been finalized. Meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m. KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Taylor Crouch Brett Wachsmith, Chairman