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KITTITAS COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />STAFF REPORT FOR AGENDA SESSION <br /> <br />Public Health Office <br /> <br />AGENDA DATE: 04.21.2026 <br /> <br />TOPIC: Interlocal Agreement – Shared Epidemiology Services with Grant County Health District <br /> <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Approval of Interlocal Agreement Between Kittitas County and Grant County Health District for Shared Epidemiology Services and Approval of Resolution <br /> <br />LEAD STAFF: Erin Moore <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Staff recommends approval of the Interlocal Agreement between Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) and Grant County Health District (GCHD) to implement and formalize a shared epidemiologist position funded through Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS). Approval will allow both jurisdictions to efficiently utilize state funding to strengthen regional epidemiology capacity, enhance data-driven decision-making, and support coordinated public health responses. <br /> <br />BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br />Establishes a shared epidemiologist position funded through FPHS, with a 60% allocation to GCHD and 40% to KCPHD. <br />KCPHD will serve as the employer of record, managing payroll, HR, and administrative supervision. <br />Both jurisdictions will jointly determine priorities, workload balance, and performance evaluation. <br />Enhances regional capacity for surveillance, data analysis, outbreak response, and public health planning. <br />Includes structured coordination through weekly check-ins, monthly leadership meetings, and shared reporting. <br />Provides a scalable model for cross-jurisdictional collaboration and efficient use of limited workforce resources. <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The Washington State Legislature, through the Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) initiative, has prioritized building core public health capacity across local jurisdictions. As part of this effort, KCPHD received FPHS funding specifically designated to support epidemiology capacity. <br />Due to workforce shortages and the specialized nature of epidemiology, smaller jurisdictions often face challenges recruiting and sustaining full-time epidemiology staff. To address this, KCPHD and GCHD have collaboratively developed an Interlocal Agreement under RCW 39.34 to share a qualified epidemiologist. <br /> <br />This agreement reflects a regional approach to public health service delivery, allowing both counties to benefit from shared expertise while maximizing the impact of available funding. <br /> <br /> <br />DISCUSSION: <br />NA <br /> <br /> <br />FISCAL IMPACTS: <br />The shared epidemiologist position is primarily funded through FPHS allocations managed by KCPHD. <br />No new local funding is required to initiate the agreement <br />Any costs exceeding FPHS funding (e.g., travel, training, equipment) will be shared equally between KCPHD and GCHD as mutually agreed <br />This approach maximizes existing state funding while minimizing local financial burden <br />The agreement does not create a joint budget; each party maintains its own financial processes <br /> <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />Interlocal Agreement – Shared Epidemiology Services <br />Resolution- Shared Epidemiology Services <br /> <br /> <br />Legal consultation? Yes: Legal Request # 12160 &12312 <br />Finance consulted? Yes <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Page 2 of 2 <br />Public Health Office “Study Session Staff Report”, 12/23/2024 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />