Laserfiche WebLink
COMMISSIONERS’ MINUTES <br />KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON <br />BOCC AUDITORIUM <br />REGULAR MEETING <br />HR STUDY SESSION <br /> <br />TUESDAY 10:00 AM 5/26/2020 <br /> <br />Board members present: Brett Wachsmith (in person), Laura Osiadacz and Cory Wright (via WebEx) <br />Others: Judy Pless, Christopher Horner, Julie Kjorsvik, Mandy Buchholz, Taylor Crouch, and Department <br />Heads/Elected Officials (via WebEx); Patti Johnson, Jerry Pettit, Lisa Young, and Jeanne Killgore (in <br />person) <br /> <br />CALL TO ORDER <br />The meeting was called to order at 10:00 AM. <br />DISCUSSION/DECISION – HIRING FREEZE/BUDGET <br />HR Director Young requested direction from the Board regarding the potential for a hiring freeze in light <br />of budget concerns. Auditor Pettit and Budget & Finance Manager Pless were present to provide a brief <br />budget update and weigh in on the issue. Finance Manager Pless explained that the County has <br />budgeted conservatively and has not overspent funds; therefore, she did not recommend a hiring freeze <br />at this time. Public Works Director Cook asked the Board to clarify that current vacancies, including his <br />Deputy Director/County Engineer position, would continue to be recruited for. The Board answered <br />that yes, his and other essential positions would continue through the normal recruitment process. <br />Auditor Pettit recommended that the County continue to watch the budget closely and revisit the issue <br />at a later time. Director Young will revisit the budget and hiring process in one month. <br />DISCUSSION/DECISION – REVIEW DRAFT COVID-19 SAFETY POLICY AND OPERATIONS PLAN <br />Director Young briefly explained to the Board that she has collected safety plans from County offices and <br />has drafted a safety policy. She noted that the policy has gone through several rounds of peer review, <br />and requested Board approval before sending the draft on to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) <br />for their feedback. Public Works Director Cook commented that the temperature screening <br />requirement in the cautionary red zone portion of the policy may be problematic for his staff. Director <br />Young responded that screening may not be necessary in certain divisions unless there is a mandate or <br />health order in place. Sheriff Myers also expressed some concern about policy language that would <br />require employees to self-report their symptoms, if any, on a daily basis. He explained that he is not in <br />favor of the disciplinary language that is outlined in the policy as a consequence of an employee who <br />self-reports untruthfully. Director Cook added that his staff would need to gather to fill out paper <br />reporting forms and expressed concerns that this would hinder his efforts to maintain social distancing <br />among his staff. Commissioner Wachsmith responded that these concerns could be taken to the EOC <br />for their input. Director Young commented that local business must develop guidelines and