HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-08-minutes-meeting-with-county-prosecutor2023-05-08 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
CONFERENCE ROOM
SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY 10:00 A.M. MAY 8, 2023
Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright, Vice Chairman Brett
Wachsmith, and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Elishia Harvill, Chief
Administrator; Jeanne Killgore, Human Resource Director; Greg
Zempel, Prosecutor; and Brian Carlson, Budget & Finance Director.
SPECIAL MEETING PROSECUTOR RETENTION PROSECUTOR
At 10:00 a.m. Chairman Wright opened a Special Meeting to meet with
the Prosecutor’s office relating to recruitment and retention
incentives.
Greg Zempel, Prosecutor, explained the difficulty they’ve been
experiencing for a long time in hiring and retaining Prosecutors. He
said they’re continually being advised from others including
Prothman, that Kittitas County’s pay for Prosecutor’s is low
compared to others, and in addition most counties are offering
signing bonuses. He said he doesn’t have the answer but knows they
cannot sustain their current workloads and it’s beginning to effect
employee’s health due to the stress and asked for help from the
Board.
Commissioner Osiadacz asked if a survey could be sent out to his
current employees and as where they would best feel valued. Chairman
Wright noted how people need to take into consideration the quality
of life in our area as well. Elishia Harvill, Chief Administrator,
reviewed some counties signing bonuses, retention bonuses, and
moving expenses. She said they do have savings available from
vacancies. The Board understood the seriousness of the issue and
wants to be able to come up with something viable and sustainable to
recruit and retain employees in their office.
Chairman Wright proposed getting a group together including himself,
Ms. Harvill, Brian Carlson, and Jeanne Killgore, and come up with a
proposal within 6 weeks and report back to the Board.
The meeting was concluded at 10:17 a.m.
2023-05-08 MINUTES 2
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Cory Wright, Chairman