HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-05-minutes-county-management-team-executive-committee06/05/2023 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
AUDITORIUM
SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY 10:00 A.M. JUNE 5, 2023
Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright; Vice-Chairman Brett
Wachsmith and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Amy Cziske, Treasurer;
Mike Hougardy, Assessor; David Ohl, Airport Director; Ben Kokjer,
Chief Deputy; Bryan Elliott, Auditor; Kady Porterfield, Event Center
Director; Chelsey Loeffers, Public Health Administrator; Brian
Carlson, Budget & Finance Director; Karen Bowen, Clerk; Katrina
Mankus, Juvenile Court Administrator; and approximately 5 members of
the public.
SPECIAL MEETING PROPOSED COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR COMMISSIONERS
Chairman Wright opened a Special Meeting to consider the possibility
of a County Administrator position. He said a report and
recommendations from the County Executive Management Advisory
Committee had been prepared, sent out, and available to the public
as well.
Amy Cziske, Management Team Executive Committee Chairman, said the
Management Team reviewed the report at their meeting on May 19th and
there were concerns expressed about space, salary, and the
organizational structure. She said the Management Team did vote to
recommend a County Administrator model, but they would like their
concerns addressed prior to the Board making their determination.
She indicated they would also like to have representation on a
transition team and an update each month to the Management Team.
Ben Kokjer, Chief Deputy, said the Management Team mostly voted in
favor to fully support a County Administrator model and there was no
opposition voiced. Mike Hougardy, Assessor, explained how the
committee had done a lot of research and they looked at different
governmental structures from other counties. He said the questions
that have been raised are valid and should be addressed, but the
Management Team shouldn’t be the ones who provide those answers.
Bryan Elliott, Auditor, said most of the questions that were raised
at the meeting were driven by the Department Heads as they were the
ones who would most likely be impacted. Kady Porterfield, Event
Center Director, said it would be beneficial to have a transition
team and to allow Department Heads the opportunity to provide input
whether they are on that team or not. She said the funding should be
addressed first to ensure it’s even a possibility, and then if it’s
available, create a transition team to begin their work.
06/05/2023 MINUTES 2
Commissioner Osiadacz felt there were a lot of questions that needed
be answered prior to moving forward including what the
organizational chart would look like; the availability of funding;
and level of bureaucracy. She said for it to be successful there
should first be a transition team put in place and also represented
by Department Heads.
Vice-Chairman Wachsmith said he’d be in favor of forming an internal
committee exploration team to look at the questions, concerns, and
funding, but noted it was not a done deal. He questioned where the
funding would come from as there’s been difficulty just keeping
County buildings in working order.
Chelsey Loeffers, Public Health Administrator, suggested that the
Board dedicate resources to bring in outside assistance who has
expertise in organizational structure and could look at the big
picture. Brian Carlson, Budget & Finance Director, encouraged
everyone to think about the benefits of what the Board could be
working on instead of doing day-to-day administration.
Chairman Wright said he’s been supportive of a County Administrator
from the beginning. He explained that although he chaired the
committee and promoted discussion between the members, he was
cautious about not weighing in on his own views. He reviewed an
extensive list of committees that the Commissioners currently serve
on and if they had more time to dedicate, they’d be able to have a
voice at the table on some of the State and National committees.
Brian Carlson and Bryan Elliott said they could put together a
financial report based on market study and a price tag based on
similar counties and provide it to the Board. Upon receipt of the
report the Board said they’d have another meeting.
Amy Cziske, Treasurer, reminded the Board that the Management Team
wanted to be involved in whatever process they determine.
Commissioner Osiadacz said she would provide a report at the next
Management Team meeting.
The meeting was concluded at 10:45 a.m.
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Cory Wright, Chairman