HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-28-minutes-ph-study-session
Public Health Study Session
June 28, 2023
11:00 a.m.
Commissioner’s Conference Room
Meeting Minutes
Attendees:
Brett Wachsmith, Laura Osiadacz, Cory Wright, Chelsey Loeffers, Candi Blackford, Erin Moore, David
Sturgill (Veterans Coalition)
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 am
Citizen Comment (1 minute time limit)
There were no members of the public present.
Department Business
Strategic Plan progress update
Erin Moore presented the board with an updated KCPHD Strategic Plan Goals and Actions for. The
document listed out plans and goals progress.
Request to approve by resolution KCPHD Fund Balance Policy
Chelsey Loeffers reviewed with the board that KCPHD has its own Fund Balance policy and that it is up
for review every 5 years. The department is bringing this to the study session as this policy needs to be
approved by the commissioners and signed by the board chair. Katie Odiaga reviewed the minor
updated changes and recommendation from Brian Elliott in the Auditors office. Updates to the policy
include:
• Increasing OPEX reserve to six months of operating expenses
• Adding a fund specific to Isolation and Quarantine costs
• Increasing the amount able to be accrued in the Tuberculosis fund
• Non substantive clarification and language updates
Brian Elliott, Kittitas County Auditor, and Stephanie Hartung, Kittitas County Prosecuting Attorney, have
reviewed and approved this document.
Motion 06-01: Motion to approve BOCC Resolution 2023-106 to Authorize the Updated Health
Department Fund Balance Policy. Brett Wachsmith moved to approve BOCC Resolution 2023-106 to
Authorize the Updated Health Department Fund Balance Policy. Laura Osiadacz second. All approved.
Motion 06-01 carried to approve BOCC Resolution 2023-106 to Authorize the Updated Health
Department Fund Balance Policy.
Request to approve Veterans Service Program and Veterans Service Officer (VSO) position
Chelsey Loeffers presented the Veterans Service Program and Veterans Service Officer position to the
board and proposed that the program be incorporated into the health department. Mrs. Loeffers noted
that there have been ongoing discussions with Commissioner Wachsmith and the Veterans Coalition. It
seems like a good fit and the department is just looking for approval from all the board to incorporate
and develop the program into public health to. The group discussed ARPA funding support for VSO
position for a couple years and that allows time to look for another potential permanent funding source.
David Sturgill noted that the state has recognized that Kittitas County is way below state averages in
veterans obtaining disability and healthcare benefits. The state has offered a State VSO position to be
placed in Kittitas County that is paid for by Washington Department of Veterans. The health department
will obtain the state MOU for this position for review and move forward with this transition as directed.
Contract process discussion
Chelsey Loeffers updated the board on the Prosecuting Attorneys contract process that is currently in
the works of being updated. The current process for contracts is confusing and there is no process for
follow up.
Board of Health Feedback Discussion
The board noted that they would like to see time limits placed on presentations. If there is longer Board
of Health topics that push presenters to shorten presentations the board would like to have them
moved to a future meeting to give presenters, the opportunity to present their full presentation. Mrs.
Loeffers will start putting time limits on presentations for August.
Other Business
Chelsey Loeffers asked for approval to move Dr. Larson to 12 hours up from 8 hours. Board approved.
Concluded at 10:49 am
___________________________________
Cory Wright, BOCC Chair
___________________________________
Candi Blackford, Clerk