HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-12-minutes-blake-decision-implications04/12/21 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON WEBEX SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY 3:30 P.M. APRIL 12, 2021
Board members present via Webex: Chairman Brett Wachsmith; Vice-
Chairman Laura Osiadacz; and Commissioner Cory Wright.
Others via Webex: Taylor Crouch, Administrative Assistant; Greg Zempel,
Prosecutor; Amy Cziske, Treasurer; Judy Pless, Budget and Finance
Manager; Elisha Harvill, Chief Administrator; Jodi Hammond, Chief
Criminal Deputy; Neil Caulkins, Chief Civil Deputy; and Chris Horner,
DPA III. SPECIAL MEETING BLAKE DECISION IMPLICATIONS COMMISSIONERS
At 3:30 p.m. Chairman Wachsmith opened a Special Meeting to have a
discussion with County Staff on the Blake decision implications.
Greg Zempel, Prosecutor reviewed with the Board what the Blake Case
heard at the Washington State Supreme Court would affect the County.
This decision has implications on cases related to the simple drug
possession law dating back to 1971. Rough estimates have this affecting
around 4,000 cases in the County.
The Prosecutor’s Office has been waiting on more information from the
legislature on if this would be the fiscal responsibility of the State
or the County. The Prosecutor’s Office has a model they plan to use
which will route letters to affected parties where they can file a
Claim for Damages. This allows their office a bit of grace period to
see how the legislature reacts.
There was discussion on the diversion program and drug courts and how
these programs may look moving forward. This decision led to needing to
re-sentence some through Superior Court, leading to more of a backlog
of cases due to COVID.
This will be brought back before the Board once more pieces have been
finalized.
Meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Taylor Crouch Brett Wachsmith, Chairman