HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-27-minutes-finance-study-sessionKittitas County Board of County Commissioners
Finance Study Session (Special)
Monday, September 27, 2022
MINUTES
Commissioners Present:
Laura Osiadacz, Brett Wachsmith, Cory Wright
Management/Staff Present:
Brian Carlson (Budget/Finance Director), Zack DeHaven and Dora Van Epps (Finance Staff), Greg Zempel
(Prosecutor), Elishia Harvill (Prosecutor’s Office), Christopher Whitsett (Sheriff’s Office), Kylee Wuestoff
(Treasurer’s Office)
1. Call to Order: 1pm
2. Citizen Comments (1 min. time limit): none
3. Prosecutor Office: Preliminary 2023 Personnel figures
Mr. Carlson introduced the topic, and noted that this venue would allow for advance consideration from all
parties ahead of BOCC review of Prosecutor’s 2023 budget.
Prosecutor Zempel discussed the purpose of the proposal, which is to adjust base salaries to better reflect both
internal and external comparable positions, including supervisory roles, departmental budget amounts, and
scope. He noted an increase in case loads, in particular among criminal division prosecutors, and emphasize the
benefit and long-term savings associated with attracting and retaining high quality and high-performing staff.
Ms. Harvill discussed survey methodology.
Commissioner Wright inquired about current vacancies, and observed that salary survey’s should reflect total
compensation, rather than salaries only.
Commissioner Wachsmith stated his preference that any salary considerations be made concurrent with the
countywide salary study, and noted that the previous study generated increases to the Prosecutor’s staff.
Commissioner Osiadacz also stated her preference to review and consider salary changes within the context of a
countywide study, and noted that county wages are above regional median wages.
4. ARPA Appropriation Requests
Commissioners unanimously directed staff to include contracts for “Happy Feet” and “The Shop” on the next
available BOCC agenda, so as to provide 2022 funding for these requests.
Commissioner Osiadacz updated the board regarding the upper county cemetery proposal, noting that the
water line work is estimated at $135,000, and the wall improvements are estimated at $150,000.
Commissioner Wright directed staff to remove the Kittitas CIP funding. He also discussed the pending
broadband initiative, noting that the county’s grant-match is currently estimated at $2.8MM.
5. Financial Statements Audit Update
Mr. Carlson provided an update to the 2021 Financial Statements audit, noting an estimated completion date by
end of October. He further discussed ramifications of late filings, noting that the county is not currently
classified as a “low risk” audit owing to prior-year’s findings. He further discussed how to ensure that all filings,
notices and delinquencies are made current, and the need to do so in advance of any future new bond issues.
He outlined next steps between Finance and Treasury staff to rectify all past-due filings.
Mr. Carlson also outlined the next phase of the county’s CPA-contractor scope, and anticipated timely filings and
no findings for the 2022 audit.
6. Attrition Planning Discussion
Mr. Carlson discussed this tactic for budgetary planning, and how to incorporate it into long-term financial and
strategic planning.
7. 2022 YTD Reports / select topics
Mr. Carlson stated that next Finance Study session will allow for preliminary year-to-date third quarter reports,
and that the upcoming budget sessions will include additional reports for BOCC review.
8. Scheduling for next Finance Study Session; Topics:
There were no requested topics. Next scheduled finance study session is Tuesday, October 25th.
9. Other business: none
10. Concluded: 2:05pm
Brian Carlson, Finance Director Laura Osiadacz, BOCC Chairperson