HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution_Ratify Chair Signature_PFD Feasibility Study_04012026KITTITAS COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
AGENDA DATE: April 7, 2026
ACTION REQUESTED: Request to Approve a Resolution to Ratify Authorization
of the Use of 2026 Public Facility Funds to Support the
Washington State Department of Commerce
Independent Feasibility Review for a Public Facility
District and Ratifying the Chair's Signature on said
Agreement with Washington State Department of
Commerce for said Feasibility Review
BACKGROUND: Public Facilities District (PFD) may be created by a
County under RCW 36.100. A Public Facilities District
can develop and operate sports, entertainment,
convention or recreational facilities. To consider a PFD,
at the December 16, 2025, meeting the Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC) authorized Board Chair
signature on a letter requesting the Washington State
Department of Commerce conduct an independent
financial feasibility review. Public Works has been
coordinating with the Department of Commerce
regarding requested documents to begin the feasibility
review.
The Department of Commerce conducts independent
financial feasibility reviews with independent
contractors. The program is intended to ensure that local
decision makers have access to objective and timely
analysis of the financial feasibility of the project. The
review is to examine the potential costs to be incurred by
the Public Facilities District and the adequacy of
revenues or expected revenues to meet those costs. It is
typical for the Department of Commerce to enter in
interlocal agreement for cost -recovery agreement of the
review.
At their regular meeting on December 17, 2025, the
Conference of Governments supported use of Distressed
County Sales and Use Tax for the independent feasibility
review by Commerce. An agreement has been prepared
between the County and Commerce to begin the
independent feasibility review. Commerce has shared the
cost of their review will be $20,000.00.
At the March 30, 2026, Special Study Session, Public
Works staff briefed the Board of County Commissioners
on this potential action and with project timelines to be
met for processing of the cost -recovery agreement the
Board of County Commissioners gave direction to move
forward with next steps with Commerce. This
Resolution ratifies the authorization of the use of Public
Facilities Funds and ratifies Chair's Signature on the
cost -recovery agreement.
INTERACTION: Public Works
RECOMMENDATION: Approve and Sign the Resolution to Ratify
Authorization of the Use of 2026 Public Facility Funds
to Support the Washington State Department of
Commerce Independent Feasibility Review for a Public
Facility District and Ratifying the Chair's Signature on
said Agreement with Washington State Department of
Commerce for said Feasibility Review
HANDLING: Return one (1) original to Public Works
ATTACHMENTS: Resolution
LEAD STAFF: Josh Fredrickson, Director
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF KITTITAS
STATE OF WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION NO. 2026 -
RATIFYING THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE USE OF 2026 PUBLIC FACILITY
AWARD (DISTRESSED COUNTY SALES AND USE TAX) TO SUPPORT THE
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE INDEPENDENT
FINANCIAL FEASIBILTY REVIEW FOR PUBLIC FACILITIES DISTRICT AND
RATIFYING THE CHAIR'S SIGNATURE ON THE AGREEMENT WITH
COMMERCE FOR SAID FEASIBILITY REVIEW
WHEREAS: The 1999 Legislature did pass RCW 82.14.370 Sales and Use Tax for Public
Facilities in rural counties; and
WHEREAS: These funds may only be used to finance public facilities serving economic
development purposes in rural counties and finance personnel in economic
development offices int eh state of Washington; and
WHEREAS: Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 3 6. 100 authorizes Counties to develop a
Public Facilities District (PFD); and
WHEREAS: Public Facilities Districts are able to develop and operate regional facilities
including sports, entertainment, convention or recreational facilities which can
facilitate economic development; and
WHEREAS: Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 36.100.025 and RCW 35.57.025 require an
independent financial feasibility review by the Washington State Department of
Commerce (Commerce) prior to any new PFD; and
WHEREAS: The review will examine the potential costs and revenue of a PFD; and
WHEREAS: The Board of County Commissioners were briefed on the agreement with
Commerce at the March 30, 2026, Special Study Session with direction given to
move forward with utilizing said Public Facilities Funds in the amount of
$20,000.00 to support the Department of Commerce Independent Financial
Feasibility Review for the development of a Public Facilities District (PFD); and
WHEREAS: The Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners executed said Agreement
with the Washington State Department of Commerce on March 30, 2026.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Board of County Commissioners, in the best
interest of the public hereby ratifies the authorization of the use of Distressed County Sales
and Use Tax funds in the amount of $20,000.00 to support the Washington State Department of
Commerce Independent Financial Feasibility Review for Public Facilities District and ratifies
Chair signature on the agreement with Commerce for said review.
DATED this 7th day of April 2026, at Ellensburg, Washington.
Attest:
❑ Clerk of the Board- Julie Kjorsvik
❑ Deputy Clerk of the Board- Mandy Buchholz
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Cory Wright, Chairman
Brett Wachsmith, Vice -Chairman
Laura Osiadacz, Commissioner