HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-23-minutes-department-of-public-defense-discussion2022-08-23 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
AUDITORIUM
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY 1:00 P.M. AUGUST 23, 2022
Board members present: Chairman Laura Osiadacz; Vice-Chairman Cory
Wright; and Commissioner Brett Wachsmith.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Jeanne Killgore, Human
Resource Director; Patti Stacey, Solid Waste Director/Interim
Maintenance Director/Project Manager; Sarah Keith, Superior Court
Administrator; Judge Paul Sander, Lower District Court; Brian
Carlson, Budget & Finance Director; Greg Zempel, Prosecutor; Doug
Mitchell, Deputy Prosecutor; Superior Court Judge Scott Sparks;
Daniel Berkshire, Judicial Assistant; and approximately 7 members of
the public.
SPECIAL MEETING DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC DEFENSE COMMISSIONERS
At 1:02 p.m. Chairman Osiadacz opened a Special Meeting to consider
a presentation from the Office of Public Defense Committee.
There were no citizens requesting to provide public comment.
Lower District Court Judge Paul Sander reviewed the work that had
been completed by the Public Defense Advisory Committee relating to
the creation of a Public Defense Department. They recommended
approval of an Ordinance which would direct the creation of a Public
Defense Department; establish the Office of Director of that
Department; establish the authority and responsibilities of the
Department and its personnel; and to amend Kittitas County Code
Chapter 2.09. The initial start-up cost was approximately
$500,000.00.
The Board asked various questions of the committee members. They
recommended people continuing to advocate to the State for full
funding as it’s an unfunded mandate and costly to the County. The
Board thanked the committee members for their time and hard work and
acknowledged the collaboration between everyone throughout the
process.
ORDINANCE 2022-010 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC DEFENSE COMMISSIONERS
VICE-CHAIRMAN WRIGHT moved to approve Ordinance No. 2022-010,
Directing the Creation of a Public Defense Department, Establishing
the Office of Director of that Department, Establishing the
Authority and Responsibilities of the Department and Its Personnel,
and Amending Chapter 2.09 of the Kittitas County Code Accordingly;
2022-08-23 MINUTES 2
fill out items in Section 2 at a later date once figures have been
determined by the Budget & Finance Director; and grant authority to
the Prosecutor’s office to direct IT to correct any scriveners’
errors in the published website version of the Code without needing
to return to the Board of County Commissioners for any further
authorization. COMMISSIONER WACHSMITH seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
Patti Stacey, Solid Waste Director/Interim Maintenance
Director/Project Manager, asked the Board how much space would be
needed for the new department including the size of offices for
attorneys, Director, technology, and any clerical staff. Judge
Sander felt a Director should be hired immediately, as well as an
Office Manager because they would have a better understanding of the
space need requirements. The Board directed Ms. Stacey to research
and explore options to either Lease or Sublease space for the
department, including an office trailer package and return to the
Board with her findings.
The meeting was concluded at 1:41 p.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Laura Osiadacz, Chairman