HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-23-minutes-receive-an-update-on-behavioral-&-mental-health-issues02/23/2021 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON WEBEX SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY 2:00 P.M. FEBRUARY 23, 2021
Board members present: Commissioner Brett Wachsmith; Commissioner
Laura Osiadacz; and Commissioner Cory Wright.
Others: Taylor Crouch, Administrative Assistant; Julie Kjorsvik,
Clerk of the Board; Steve Panattoni, Jail Superintendent; Ed Buntin,
Corrections Lieutenant; and approximately 14 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.
Rich Elliot, Deputy Fire Chief of Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue gave
an overview of the presentation for the meeting and gave statistics
from around the state on which other counties had passed the tax.
Greg Aubol, Therapist/Team Leader at Comprehensive Healthcare spoke
about Goal 1, which focuses on corrections centers and inmate mental
health. Steve Panattoni, Jail Superintendent also spoke about
concerns with mental heath in corrections facilities, and re-entry
after release.
Dede Utley, Nursing Director, Emergency Services at KVH and Robin
Read, Executive Director at Kittitas County Health Network spoke
about Goal 2, which focuses on warm handoffs for people from
corrections facilities and from emergency rooms. Ms. Utley also
spoke on Goal 3, which focuses on resources and time spent on mental
health issues in the Emergency Room.
Michelle Cawley, Registered Nurse Program Manager at Community
Health of Central Washington spoke on Goal 4, which focuses on
children and youth and mental health. Mr. Elliot spoke about the
increase in mental and behavioral health impacts on primary family
care.
Kevin Martin, Kittitas Valley Healthcare Chief Medical Officer,
Medical Director for Community-Based Care Services and Family
Physician spoke on the need for more mental health care in primary
care. He said this profession was not designed to handle mental
health, but are needing to fill in due to strain on the mental
health care system.
02/23/2021 MINUTES 2
Presenters spoke about the community outreach done up to this point.
Doug Fulp, Project Specialist at Kittitas County Health Network
spoke on the budget for the tax and where they saw the needs broken
down.
Dr. Martin recapped by saying this was a local problem and needed a
local solution.
The Commissioners were able to ask questions of the group. There was
direction to Staff to set a public hearing, for the largest
available space for an audience, to consider passing the 1/10 of 1%
Mental Health tax.
Meeting adjourned at 2:52 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DEPUTY CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Taylor Crouch Brett Wachsmith, Chairman