HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-29-minutes-ph-study-sessioni
A Kittitas County
Public Health
Dep lit
To Protect and Promote the Health and the Environment of the People of Kittitas County
Public Health Study Session
June 29,2021
4:00 PM
Webex Meeting
Attendees
Commissioners: Brett Wachsmith, Cory Wright, Laura Osiadacz
Public Health: Tristen Lamb, Chelsey Loeffers, Jesse Cox, Katie Odiaga, Erin Moore
Department Business
Fees & Budget Process
Director Tristen Lamb discussed the nine different COVID-19 funding streams, foundational public health
services funding, and Environmental Health fee for services, and Admissions Tax.
Tristen also updated the board that the time audit and fee calculations were being conducted for the
Environmental Health fee schedule.
1152 Implementation, continued
Tristen Lamb updated the board that there is not much to update since the last BOH meeting but her
current understanding is that things will be primarily up to local jurisdictions to implement. Her current
recommendation would be to expand the current Board of Health rather than to put resources into
expanding the BOHAC.
Department 5taffin undate/reiguests
EH Staffing Increase- Approval Request
Tristen Lamb reported that the Environmental Health budget was not impacted by COVID-19 as much as
anticipated and revenues were coming in higher than expected.
KCPHD was awarded more grant funds from LSWFA (solid waste grant). We received a 40-50K increase
for next biennium.
Director Lamb requested .6 FTE from BOCC in food safety. The County has many food establishments
per capita, and we are also seeing increase in TFES. The requested FTE would have designated evening
and weekend hours to cover weekend temporary events. Data shows that this increase in FTE is
sustainable, without increase in food fees.
Public Health
To Protect and Promote the Health and the Environment of the People of Kittitas County
Jesse Cox presented some benchmarking he conducted with other rural counties on how many food
inspections per specialist they complete each year. Kittitas County staff are conducting approximately
300 inspections per year, which is almost 200 more per year than staff in other counties.
Tristen clarified that the request for .6 FTE is not an ask from the general fund and is a budget neutral
request for the 2021 budget and she is not anticipating a significant increase in fees for the 2022 budget
due to the additional position.
Tristen Lamb requested that the BOCC approve the presented .6 FTE position for the food safety
program.
This request was approved by Commissioner Laura Osiadacz and Commissioner Brett Wachsmith.
2022 Staff Training Plans
Director Lamb reported that the Assessment Coordinator is looking at some epidemiology certificates
and other staff are looking into Spanish interpretation certifications through Box in the Virus funds.
Department Business
None
Other
None
The meeting was adjourned at 4: 25 PM.
gr4 achsrpith, BOCC Chair
erk