HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report - Set Public Hearing MH TaxKITTITAS COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
AGENDA DATE: November 16, 2021
ACTION REQUESTED: Request to Set a Public Hearing to consider a 1/10th of 1%
increase in Sales & Use Tax as Authorized by RCW
82.14.460 (Sales and Use Tax for Chemical Dependency or
Mental Health Treatment Services or Therapeutic Courts).
BACKGROUND: On October 26, 2021, the Kittitas County Board of
Commissioners held a Special Meeting with the Auditor
and Prosecutor’s office to discuss pending taxes including a
proposed increase of 1/10th of 1% increase in Sales and Use
Tax for Chemical Dependency or Mental Health Treatment
Service or Therapeutic Courts. In a hearing on April 14th,
2021, the Board had originally voted to send the question to
a popular vote. Following the hearing, Kittitas County
Prosecutor Greg Zempel advised the Board that, after
further legal review by his office, a popular vote would
only be advisory in nature, and the Board would need to
either pass the proposed ordinance legislatively or could
send it to a popular advisory vote.
INTERACTION: At the conclusion of the meeting the Board directed Staff to
prepare a notice of Public Hearing to consider a 1/10th of
1% increase in Sales and Use Tax as Authorized by RCW
82.14.460. The Prosecutor’s office was asked to prepare a
Resolution including a ballot title. The Auditor’s office
noted a pro and con committee would need to be
established for language to include in a voters pamphlet
prior to an election if the Board elects to send the question
to an advisory vote.
RECOMMENDATION: Set a Public Hearing for Tuesday December 7, 2021, at
2:00 p.m. via Webex to consider a 1/10th of 1% increase in
Sales and Use Tax as Authorized by RCW 82.14.460.
HANDLING: 1 – Clerk of the Board
1 – Northern Kittitas County Tribune & Daily Record.
ATTACHMENTS: Notice of Public Hearing
LEAD STAFF: Cory Wright, Commissioner
Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board