HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-26-minutes-ph-study-sessionPublic Health Study Session (WEB EX)
June 24, 2020
10:00am
Commissioners Conference Room
Attendees
Commissioners: Brett Wachsmith, Cory Wright, Laura Osiadacz
Public Health: Candi Blackford, Tristen Lamb, Katie Odiaga, Chelsey Loeffers
Department Business
New Internal process: Grant-based Programs Workplan
Tristen Lamb reviewed the new internal process and for grant based programs. Tristen Lamb discussed
the programs that receive grant funding. Those programs are Health Promotions, Environmental Health,
and Harm Reduction. Chelsey Loeffers reviewed the department tool used to monitor and report on
grant funded projects. The department is choosing to utilize this process to help establish deliverables,
help track deliverables, and help track cross-divisional work as well as community partners. This will help
with organization and ability to apply for future grants. Ms. Loeffers reviewed an example of a work plan
for one of the departments grants that outlined the following information:
• Grant Strategies
• Activities
• Tasks
• Deliverables
• Data Measures
• Responsible Parties
• Timeline
• Possible impacts
Ms. Loeffers also reviewed briefly the Action Plan Worksheet that outlines the steps involved with each
task.
Covid-19 data and reporting
Lianne Bradshaw reviewed the current COVID 19 data reported for Kittitas County. Some of the data is
collected by our department and some collected by other partners. Some of the data reported are
COVID 19 Activity, Testing Activity, Case and Contact Investigations, Health Care System Readiness.
There was discussion about the number of cases per 100,00 and active cases. It was decided that Ms.
Bradshaw would work with Kasey Knutson, KCPHD PIO, to do a video explanation of how this data is
determined to make it clearer to the community.
2021 Preliminary budget sneak peek
Tristen Lamb presented a draft of the public health 2021 budget. Ms. Lamb has been working on the
department budget, incorporating some suggested changes from the County’s budget and finance
manager. Salaries and benefits are a large portion of our budget. The department will not see as much
revenue from the Admissions Tax this year. Grant funding will remain stable for 2021 due to the grant
cycle will go through the middle of 2021 or further. EH fee revenues estimated to decrease and state
funding will increase due to COVID response funding. The department will not be asking for county
contribution to fund public health but will continue to include county TB Funds ($17,248.00) as required
by RCW. Ms. Lamb then briefly reviewed comparison budget numbers for 2020 and 2021. Ms. Lamb
noted that the department will not be including clinic services due to discontinuing those services. The
departments public health nurse will be retiring and the department is budgeting to replace at a half
time nurse due to circumstances related to COVID.
Department Staffing update/requests
Upcoming staffing proposals
Ms. Lamb informed the board that she will be on a future HR agenda to request authorization to
transition an emergency hire for COVID (Disease Investigator and Infection Prevention Specialist) to
become a permanent position for all Communicable Disease work to help when the PH Nurse retires in
October.
Other Business
Mark Larson and Tristen Lamb met with County Prosecutors, Dan Carlson and Mike Flory in CDS, and
spoke with Hillary Huffman regarding a special event permit application for Huffman Farms. The
application was thorough and there was clarification as to why there was a need for a Special Event
Application. Hillary Huffman was present on the study session call and spoke. Ms. Huffman was just
informed by the Governors Senior Policy Advisors that they will be reversing their restrictions on
agritourism. Ms. Lamb will work with Ms. Huffman and others involved to try to expedite the Special
Event application.
Ms. Lamb also noted that after discussion with Ellensburg City staff the trails to Irene Rhinehart will be
reopening again soon. Discussion was had about who has authority to close city parks and clarified that
it is a collaborative effort, but it is not determined by the county. Commissioner Wright also noted that
the commissioners had signed a letter of support for the Kittitas School District to open and asked the
question as to has the authority to open schools. Ms. Lamb stated that the decision is made by the
school district, recommendations and guidance are provided by the health department. When
additional questions were asked about opening despite health recommendations not to, Ms. Lamb
stated that she will follow up and report back to the commissioners since the guidance is complicated
and has multiple levels of oversight and recommendation at state and local levels.
Meeting adjourned at 10: 57 am
___________________________________
Brett Wachsmith, BOCC Chair
___________________________________
Candi Blackford, Clerk