HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-26-minutes-follow-up-meeting-with-prosecutor-and-auditor10/26/21 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON CONFERENCE ROOM/WEBEX SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY 1:30 P.M OCTOBER 26, 2021
Board members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith, Vice-Chairman Laura
Osiadacz, and Commissioner Cory Wright.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Jerry Pettit, Auditor;
Greg Zempel, Prosecutor; Sue Higginbotham, Chief Administrator; and
Carly Brettmann, Communications Director. SPECIAL MEETING MH/REET TAXES COMMISSIONERS
At 1:30 p.m. Chairman Wachsmith opened a Special Meeting with the
County Prosecutor and Auditor to discuss pending taxes to be
included on a future ballot.
There was discussion on a previous motion which had been approved to
place the proposed increase of 1/10th of 1% in Sales & Use Tax for
mental health purposes onto the 2021 General Election. There had
been some confusion and therefore the deadline to include it on the
General Election ballot had passed. Prosecutor Zempel explained the
difference between an advisory vote and a vote of the people.
Commissioner Wright felt that due to the confusion and not being
able to get the pro and con committees together, it would be
beneficial to go through the process again and to ensure everything
was done correctly and in a timely manner. Chairman Wachsmith agreed
to holding another Public Hearing, so everything is done accurately.
Commissioner Osiadacz said she didn’t mind going through another
Public Hearing but did not want anyone confused about her position
and would stand by her decision that was previously made to put the
issue on a ballot and allow people to vote on the proposed tax.
Jerry Pettit, Auditor, explained how there needs to be a pro and con
committee created on the issue so they can create and provide a
statement to go into the voter’s pamphlet. Commissioner Wright said
he would request the Prosecutors office to draft a Resolution to
include ballot language for the Mental Health tax.
Carly Brettmann, Communications Director was tasked with creating
some messaging on why the Board will be holding another Public
Hearing.
The proposed REET tax was not disputed as the motion was clearly
stated that the proposal would be put to a vote of the people on the
2022 General Election ballot. Mr. Pettit indicated his office would
provide dates of when things are due into their office.
10/26/21 MINUTES 1
Meeting adjourned at 1:48 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Brett Wachsmith, Chairman