HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-25-minutes-county-budget-retreat06/25/2026 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
KVEC ARMORY
SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY 9:00 A.M. JUNE 25, 2026
Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright, Vice-Chairman Brett
Wachsmith, and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
Others in attendance: Mandy Buchholz, Office Administrator-BoCC;
Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Zack DeHaven, Budget and Finance
Director; Andrew Yoder, Finance Manager; Bill Davis, Infrastructure
Manager; Zane Kinney, Interim IT Director; Todd Davis, Noxious Weed
Director; Bryan Elliott, Auditor; Amy Cziske, Treasurer; Erin Moore,
Assistant Public Health Director; Andrea Morse, Extension Agent;
Katie Odiaga, Public Health Accountant; Josh Fredrickson, Public
Works Director; Reid Burbank, Finance System Manager – DPW; Chad
Bala, CDS Director; Jesse Cox, Solid Waste Director; Erica Luce,
Solid Waste Assistant; Jeremy Larson, Building Official; Stephanie
Mifflin, Assistant Building Official; Kady Porterfield, KVEC
Director; Tasha Potter, Chief Administrator – Public Defense; Pat
Gigstead, Misdemeanant Probation Director; Maria Gomez – Rios, Lower
Dist. Court Administrator; Kari Elkins, Office Administrator – Juv.
Probation; Sarah Keith, Superior Court Administrator; Elishia
Harvill, Chief Administrator – Prosecutor; Nancy Shaff, Chief
Administrative Deputy; Steve Panattoni, Jail Superintendent; Chris
Whitsett, Inspector; Cody Cupp, Maintenance Director; Grant Shimada,
Administrative Assistant (IT); Stephanie Azure George,
Administrative Supervisor (Clerk); Mike Hougardy, Assessor; Christy
Garcia, Chief Administrator; Cori McKean, Coroner; Emily Brown, LDC
Behavioral Health Court; Eileen Murphy, Public Defense Director.
SPECIAL MEETING BUDGET RETREAT COMMISSIONERS
At 9:00 a.m. Chairman Wright opened a Special Meeting for the
County’s Annual Budget Retreat. He extended his appreciation to the
Auditor’s Office and acknowledged the growth that has come in this
annual process.
Zack DeHaven, Budget & Finance Director, led the County's Budget
Retreat, providing an overview of the County's financial position,
economic trends, strategic priorities, and the proposed process for
development of the 2027 budget. The presentation included a review
of revenue and expenditure trends, reserve balances, economic
conditions, and the County's long-term fiscal outlook. Discussion
focused on structural budget challenges, including personnel cost
growth exceeding recurring revenue growth, property tax limitations,
06/25/2026 MINUTES 1
reduced grant funding availability, and the need to address ongoing
operational deficits within the General Fund.
Mr. DeHaven reviewed proposed 2027 strategic priorities, including
adoption of a net-zero General Fund budget, continued evaluation of
capital infrastructure needs, increased operational efficiency
through technology and resource consolidation, and strategic use of
reserves to address current financial pressures while maintaining
long-term stability. Staff emphasized the importance of aligning
annual budget decisions with multi-year strategic planning and
focusing resources on core services and organizational priorities.
Mr. DeHaven also reviewed the proposed 2027 budget development
process, timelines, workbook structure, budget request procedures,
and departmental responsibilities. Departments were advised
regarding budget assumptions, personnel review, capital and
technology requests, service prioritization, and upcoming deadlines.
Discussion included opportunities to improve budget accuracy,
strengthen long-term sustainability, and move from annual budget
creation to annual budget refinement.
The retreat concluded with breakout discussions regarding strategic
priorities, potential budget investments and reductions, fiscal
risks facing the County, operational efficiencies, and
recommendations for consideration during development of the 2027
budget.
The meeting was concluded at 11:20 a.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Mandy Buchholz Cory Wright, Chairman