HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report - DOT Weed AssessmentBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF KITTITAS
STATE OF WASHINGTON
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
AGENDA DATE: August 1, 2023
ACTION REQUESTED: Direct the Treasurer to remove delinquent Weed
assessments for roll years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and
2021 from parcels owned by Washington State
Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
BACKGROUND: WSDOT previously held that the County Weed Boards,
including Kittitas County, lacked the legal authority to
make weed assessments against State lands and refused
to pay those assessments made from 2017 through 2021.
INTERACTION: Joint efforts between the WSDOT, County Treasurers, and
State legislators resulted in amendments to chapters of
RCW 17.10 and RCW 79.44.003 related to weed
assessments. The Kittitas County Noxious Weed Control
Board, Weed Districts #1, #2, #4, and #5 (all impacted by
these delinquent assessments), the Prosecutor, and the
Treasurer believe that continued attempts to collect are
not worth the staff time and expense given the previous
litigation, subsequent statutory amendments, and
WSDOT’s payment of current noxious weed control
assessments; and, thus, stand behind this resolution.
RECOMMENDATION: Review the proposed Resolution and adopt it as written.
ATTACHMENT: Proposed Resolution
Meeting Minutes and Letters from Weed Boards
Letter from Washington State Attorney General’s office
LEAD STAFF: Lisa Murray, Kittitas County Treasurer’s Office