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<br />Page 1 of 2 <br />Public Health Office “Study Session Staff Report”, 12/23/2024 <br />KITTITAS COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />STAFF REPORT FOR <br />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 <br />Health District <br /> <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Approval of Interlocal Agreement Between Kittitas <br />County and Grant County Health District for Shared <br />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 <br />Department (KCPHD) and Grant County Health District (GCHD) to implement and formalize a <br />shared epidemiologist position funded through Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS). <br />Approval will allow both jurisdictions to efficiently utilize state funding to strengthen regional <br />epidemiology capacity, enhance data-driven decision-making, and support coordinated public <br />health responses. <br /> <br />BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br />• Establishes a shared epidemiologist position funded through FPHS, with a 60% <br />allocation to GCHD and 40% to KCPHD. <br />• KCPHD will serve as the employer of record, managing payroll, HR, and <br />administrative supervision. <br />• Both jurisdictions will jointly determine priorities, workload balance, and <br />performance evaluation. <br />• Enhances regional capacity for surveillance, data analysis, outbreak response, and <br />public health planning. <br />• Includes structured coordination through weekly check-ins, monthly leadership <br />meetings, and shared reporting. <br />• Provides a scalable model for cross-jurisdictional collaboration and efficient use <br />of limited workforce resources. <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The Washington State Legislature, through the Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) <br />initiative, has prioritized building core public health capacity across local jurisdictions. As part of <br />this effort, KCPHD received FPHS funding specifically designated to support epidemiology <br />capacity. <br />Due to workforce shortages and the specialized nature of epidemiology, smaller jurisdictions <br />often face challenges recruiting and sustaining full-time epidemiology staff. To address this,