HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff ReportKITTITAS COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
AGENDA DATE: April 21, 2026
ACTION REQUESTED: The Kittitas County Coroner’s Office has requested that its office
hours be changed from its current hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM,
Monday through Friday, to 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through
Friday
BACKGROUND: The Kittitas County Coroner’s Office rents three offices in the Morris
Sorenson Building from the Public Health Department. Our offices
are located on the main floor and are arranged in a lowercase “t”
configuration. The main office entrance is in the center, with the other
two office entrances just to the left and right, only a few steps inside
that main entry point.
This layout creates significant safety concern. If someone is standing
in or blocking the main entrance, there is no safe secondary exit route
for staff to leave the office area.
In addition, Public Health office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
After 4 p.m., their offices are vacated and locked, leaving the main
floor primarily unattended. Historically, individuals have been found
hiding in hallways and bathrooms after the building is locked at 5pm.
Another concern is that our office layout does not allow staff to easily
see who is entering the building. In most cases, we would not know if
someone entered and remained inside the building.
Because of the office design, limited visibility, and lack of a safe
escape route, the current setup presents an ongoing safety risk for
Coroner’s Office staff.
INTERACTION: The Prosecutors office has reviewed the proposed Resolution. The
Prosecutor revised the document.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Resolution Change Office Hours immediately.
HANDLING: Original – Clerk of the Board
ATTACHMENTS: Resolution Change Coroner Office Hours
LEAD STAFF: Cori McKean, Coroner