HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-05-minutes-presentation-mental-and-behavioral-health-tax-proposal02/05/2020 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON COMMISSIONERS AUDITORIUM SPECIAL MEETING WEDNESDAY 10:30 A.M. FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Board members present: Commissioner Brett Wachsmith; Commissioner
Laura Osiadacz; and Commissioner Cory Wright.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Candi Blackford, Chief
Administrator; Kasey Knutson, Special Programs Coordinator; Steve
Panattoni, Jail Superintendent; Ed Buntin, Corrections Lieutenant;
Katrina Mankus, Juvenile Court Administrator; Superior Court Judge
Scott Sparks, Mark Larson, Public Health Official; and approximately
40 members of the public.
SPECIAL MEETING MENTAL/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TAX PROPOSAL COMMISSIONERS
At 2:00 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 Kittitas Valley Hospital
reviewed information for the need of an increase in Sales & Use Tax
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.
Dr. Mark Larson, Kittitas County Public Health Officer provided data
obtained from the Community Health Assessment and felt there was
good community support to increase the sales and use tax. Diana
Rossow, CPWI Coalition Coordinator spoke in favor of the proposal
and urged the Boards support. Superior Court Judge Scott Sparks felt
there was a significant need for programs and due to his experience
in dealing with a certain segment of the community and how he has
observed them work for those in need.
Andres Bowman, concerned citizen, spoke in favor of the tax. He
addressed how mental health issues have been on the rise and have
impacted many families in the community. David Douglas explained how
there are a lot of people who have substance use disorders and
mental health issues who need resources in our community that are
not currently available. Sue Gunn, a Counselor at Compressive
Health Care commented on the mental health and behavioral health
crisis that’s currently going on in schools and even with full time
clinicians, they are still not able to meet the needs of our
community.
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Joy Stochosky, Community Mental Health Counselor, said our community
is a great place to raise family, but there is a significant need
for more mental health services. She encouraged the Board to approve
the proposed tax for increased access. Michelle Cawley, Community
Health Nurse, said our community needed additional funding to
provide the necessary resources for citizens to access and urged the
Board to approve an increase in sales tax for mental health
services. Kersten Weeks shared personal experiences and encouraged
the Board to approve an increase in sales tax. Greg Abul, Director
of Comprehensive Healthcare said he fully understands the unmet
needs for access to mental health and provided examples of those
needs within our County. Lauren O’Connell, Kittitas Valley
Healthcare reviewed the need for additional resources in the
community. Steve Panattoni, Jail Superintendent spoke of his
experience seeing the mental health issues from working in law
enforcement in both corrections and the line. Rich Elliott urged
the Board to make an investment for leverage and felt by doing so it
will be paid back.
Chairman Wachsmith said he would like the Public Health Staff to
schedule a Public Hearing on the February 18th Agenda, to be held on
March 3, 2020. The Board of County Commissioners expressed their
appreciation to everyone who attended the Special Meeting.
Commissioner Wright felt it was extremely important for the public
to know what the exact benefits would be as a result from an
increase in Sales Tax. He felt it was important to reach out to
everyone with costs that are being seen resulting from Mental Health
issues in our community. He said he would provide conditional
support, but with a performance period, such as including an end
date (5 years) to track data and ensure it is working. He encouraged
everyone to take the message out to a broader array of people.
Commissioner Osiadacz said she was encouraged by Commissioner
Wrights statements and appreciated all the information that was
provided throughout the meeting. She said she believes there would
be a positive effect on the community but wants to make sure it is
done correctly from the beginning. She agreed that a timeline would
be good to have to ensure things are working. She felt it was
important to communicate what is being proposed to everyone in the
community so they know where their tax dollars would be going if an
increase in Sales Tax were to be approved.
Meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m.
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KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Brett Wachsmith, Chairman