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12/07/2021 MINUTES 1 <br />COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON WEBEX SPECIAL MEETING <br /> TUESDAY 6:00 P.M. DECEMBER 7, 2021 <br />Board members present via Webex: Chairman Brett Wachsmith, Vice- <br />Chairman Laura Osiadacz and Commissioner Cory Wright. <br /> <br />Others present via Webex: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Mandy <br />Buchholz, Administrative Supervisor; Carly Brettmann, Communications <br />Director; Dr. Mark Larson, Public Health Official; Neil Caulkins, <br />Deputy Prosecutor; Audelia Martinez, Health Promotion Specialist; <br />Nea Alfaro, Health Promotion Specialist I; Steve Panattoni, Jail <br />Superintendent; Ed Buntin, Corrections Lieutenant; Greg Zempel, <br />Prosecutor; Lianne Bradshaw, Assessment Coordinator; Emily Brown, <br />Legal Process Assistant; and approximately 32 members of the <br />public. PUBLIC HEARING MENTAL HEALTH TAX COMMISSIONERS <br />At 6:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN WACHSMITH opened a Public Hearing to consider <br />a 1/10th of 1% increase in Sales and Use Tax as authorized by RCW <br />82.14.60 (Chemical Dependency, Mental Health Treatment, or <br />Therapeutic Courts). <br /> DOUG FULP, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, KITTITAS COUNTY HEALTH NETWORK, <br />reviewed a power-point presentation on the proposed increase in tax. <br />He said the increase would provide access to substance use disorder <br />and mental health treatment and support services for Kittitas County <br />community members. He shared information on the shortage of health <br />professionals; number of Kittitas Valley Fire & Rescue mental health <br />calls; mental health and substance use disorders in incarcerated <br />individuals; surveys conducted by youth in Kittitas County relating <br />to attempted suicides in the past year; and the support provided by <br />numerous entities including the City of Ellensburg and the City of <br />Cle Elum Councils. <br /> BRUCE TABB, CITY OF ELLENSBURG MAYOR, commented on the limited <br />number of services and resources available to residents of Kittitas <br />County. He read a letter of support into the record from City of <br />Ellensburg Police Chief Ken Wade and encouraged the Board of County <br />Commissioners to approve the proposed increase in sales and use tax. CHARLIE McKINNEY expressed his support of the proposal and said it <br />was extremely important for the need of additional resources <br />available to citizens. CHRIS DeVILLENE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CENTRAL WASHINGTON COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH, said there’s a limited <br />number of resources available, and with the significant increase in <br />need for services, they are the same as it was 10-15 years ago. He