HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-28-minutes-follow-up-mental-behavioral-health-tax-proposal.04/28/2020 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON COMMISSIONERS AUDITORIUM SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY 1:00 P.M. APRIL 28, 2020
Board members present: Commissioner Brett Wachsmith; Commissioner
Laura Osiadacz (via phone); and Commissioner Cory Wright (via
phone).
Others: Taylor Crouch, Deputy Clerk of the Board I; Steve
Panattoni, Jail Superintendent (via Webex); Dr. Kevin Martin, Chief
Medical Officer at Kittitas Valley Hospital (KVH) (via Webex); Rich
Elliot, Deputy Fire Chief (via Webex); Michelle Cawley, RN (via
Webex); and Dede Utley, Nursing Director of Emergency Services at
KVH (via Webex); and approximately 43 members of the public (via
Webex).
SPECIAL MEETING MENTAL/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TAX PRESENTATION COMMISSIONERS
At 1:00 p.m. Chairman Wachsmith opened a Special Meeting to receive
a presentation regarding a Mental Health/Behavioral Health Tax
proposal.
Dr. Kevin Martin, Chief Medical Officer at KVH reviewed various
information regarding the need for an increase in Sales & Use Tax to
utilize for additional resources relating to Mental Health within
Kittitas County. He explained the benefits that would be seen in the
community if the tax was approved.
Michelle Cawley, RN reviewed the program priorities and an overview
of the goals. Ms. Cawley presented the Communication plan to the
Board and the outreach that has been done to this point.
Steve Panattoni, Jail Superintendent reviewed goal number 1 to
expand onsite mental health services to inmates at Kittitas County
Corrections Center. Mr. Panattoni reviewed goal number 2 to
establish transitional care coordination services for patients
discharged from the emergency room or crisis intervention and
inmates that successfully connect persons to continued services
which would prevent readmission or re-incarceration.
Dede Utley, Nursing Director of Emergency Services at KVH reviewed
goal number 3 to expand availability and accessibility of emergency
chemical dependency and mental health crisis services.
Michelle Cawley reviewed goal number 4 to expand screening of
children and youth for unmet mental and behavioral health needs.
04/28/2020 MINUTES 2
Increase access to mental health providers and types of treatment
while coordinating support services.
Rich Elliott, Deputy Fire Chief wrapped up the presentation,
restating the Community need for this Mental and Behavioral Health
tax.
Commissioner Wright had no further questions and thanked the
Committee for their work on a well-done presentation.
Commissioner Osiadacz had no further questions and thanked the
Committee for their work on the presentation. She stated she would
like to see work continue to move forward. Commissioner Osiadacz
stated that she was willing to meet with anyone on an individual
basis to continue talks on this subject.
David Douglas, Professor at Central Washington University stated
that this tax would not just benefit people on an individual scale
but would be beneficial to many families and the community as a
whole.
Commissioner Wachsmith stated he was personally invested in this
project and is very moved to see it continue forward. Commissioner
Wachsmith will work with Dr. Mark Larson, Health Officer, Mandy
Buchholz, Deputy Clerk of the Board, and legal staff to get some
options to hold a public hearing on this during COVID-19. Once the
Board has more information of how to proceed, the Committee will be
updated.
Meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DEPUTY CLERK OF THE BOARD I KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Taylor Crouch Brett Wachsmith, Chairman