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<br /> <br />Public Health Study Session <br />October 22, 2025 <br />at 10:00 am <br />Commissioners’ Conference Room <br />Meeting Minutes <br /> <br /> <br />Present: Laura Osiadacz (chair), Brett Wachsmith, Cory Wright <br /> <br />Others: Candi Blackford, Erin Moore, Kasey Knutson, Mark Larson MD <br /> <br />The meeting was called to order at 10:03 am by Laura Osiadacz <br /> <br />Department Business <br />Approve 1/10th of 1% Mental health and Chemical Dependency Tax funding amounts and opt in letter to <br />school districts in Kittitas County <br />Kasey Knutson discussed the history of the approved annual allocation of revenue generated by the <br />Mental Health Tax to Kittitas County Public Schools using approved algorithm. Ms. Knutson discussed <br />the anticipated revenue for 2026 and anticipated funding for schools: <br />• Anticipated revenue for 2026 is $1,872,000 with a third at $624,000 for public school directed <br />funding. Cle Elum Roslyn $147,500; Damman $9,900; Easton $17,900; Ellensburg $312,000; <br />Kittitas $82,400; Thorp $53,250. Anticipated amounts may be prorated based on future contract <br />timelines. <br />Ms. Knutson discussed feedback received from the school districts that indicated that an alternate <br />contract year would be beneficial to better align with school budgeting cycles. Health department staff <br />recommended amending current contract cycle to extend through June 30, 2026, to align with school <br />budgeting cycles. <br /> <br />10.01: Motion to approve anticipated funding level amounts for Kittitas County Public Schools through <br />June 2026. Cory Wright moved to approve anticipated funding level amounts for Kittitas County Public <br />Schools through June 2026. Brett Wachsmith second. All approved. Motion 10.01 carried to approve <br />anticipated funding level amounts for Kittitas County Public Schools through June 2026. <br /> <br />Discussion/Direction regarding request to fund Comprehensive Healthcare’s school based mental health <br />counselors <br />Kasey Knutson is looking for approval for Comprehensive Healthcare to seek funding directly from <br />schools for the school-based therapy versus a contract through the Kittitas County Public Health <br />Department for 1/10th of 1% funds. Ms. Knutson reviewed how each of the school’s contract for <br />counseling services. The group discussed the schools paying for school-based therapy <br />