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Mandy Buchholz <br />From: <br />Sent: <br />lo: <br />Subject: <br />Laura Osiadacz <br />Friday, March 29, 2024 4:42 PM <br />Mandy Buchholz; Julie Kjorsvik <br />Please include in record regarding: "Request to Approve a Resolution in Support of the <br />Kittitas County Board of Commissioners Ballot Measure Proposition No. 1 KITTCOM <br />Emergency Communications and Facilities Sales and Use Tax" <br />Mandy and Julie, <br />I saw that while I am out of office the BOCC is being asked to pass a resolution to support the KITTCOM sales tax. Will <br />you please include some of my thoughts for the record? <br />o I support KITTCOM and all organizations within our County that have been created to assist with our <br />community's public health and safety. <br />o I also believe the people employed by KITTCOM are local heroes, and I hold a very high level of respect for the <br />work they do and the service they provide. <br />o This is a topic that is driven by KITTCOM not the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners. <br />o KITTCOM Administrative Board adopted Resolution 2023-7 to send a request to the voters for a sales tax. <br />o When brought before the BOCC my vote was to put this on the ballot for voters to decide what is best for our <br />community. I believe the people should always have a vote before a new tax is implemented. <br />I believe voting is a very private decision, and I will not share how lwillvote personally. However, I will share some <br />thoughts that I am taking into consideration. <br />t. I believe this request should have been proposed with a sunset clause. This will allow KITTCOM to evaluate <br />how their needs are being met through this sales tax and whether it needs to be extended or if there is a <br />smaller amount that could meet their needs. <br />2. Although I prefer a sales tax over a property tax, people in our community are struggling to maintain their <br />quality of life as prices continue to rise. <br />3. What happens if the collection is more than the need? <br />4. KITTCOM has been successful in the past with receiving grant funding to help with their infrastructure <br />needs. KITTCOM could be very competitive if requesting additional funds in the future. <br />5. Will the additional funds help with the staffing challenges we have been facing for several years? -What do <br />we do if we have the infrastructure but not the people? <br />Thank you for ensuring this information is shared <br />Respectfully, <br />Laura Osiadacz <br />Laura Osiadacz (O-Shaw-Dis) <br />Kittitas County Commissioner, District #2 <br />205 W 5th Ave. Ste. 108