HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-29-minutes-bocc-office-admin-meeting06/29/2026 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
CONFERENCE ROOM
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY 9:00 A.M. JUNE 29, 2026
Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright and Vice-Chairman Brett
Wachsmith. Excused: Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Mandy Buchholz, Office Administrator; Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk
of the Board; Jodi Larsen, Office Administrator; Mike Hougardy,
Assessor; Josh Fredrickson, Public Works Director; Bryan Elliott,
Auditor; Amy Cziske, Treasurer; Lisa Murray, Deputy Treasurer and
one member of the public.
REGULAR MEETING OFFICE STAFF MEETING COMMISSIONERS
At 9:00 a.m. Chairman Wright opened the Office Administration
meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT-
Amy McGuffin, Chamber of Commerce CEO provided an update on the Cle
Elum Catalyst Deed.
CALENDAR WEEK AT A GLANCE COMMISSIONERS
The Board of County Commissioners reviewed their weekly calendar.
PAF/VOUCHERS REVIEW OF PAF’S & VOUCHERS COMMISSIONERS
The Board of County Commissioners approved and signed County
Employee Personnel Action Forms and Vouchers.
CORRESPONDENCE LOG REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE LOG COMMISSIONERS
The Board of County Commissioners reviewed the weekly Correspondence
Log, a listing of all incoming mail and correspondence for the week
ending June 26, 2026.
DISCUSSION NOXIOUS WEED COLLECTION AUDITOR
Bryan Elliott, Auditor, reviewed a Staff Report and stated that in
November, the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution
2025-215 revising the Noxious Weed Levy assessment.
Following approval, the Assessor’s Office was directed to update the
2026 tax roll.
06/29/2026 MINUTES 2
After tax statements were printed, Staff identified a software error
that omitted the increased assessment, impacting 3,532 parcels.
The Assessor’s Office and Treasurer’s Office reviewed the issue with
Staff and the Weed District.
It was determined that reissuing corrected tax statements was not
practical due to cost, anticipated public confusion, and staffing
impacts on the Treasurer’s Office.
It was noted that all payments received—including in-person, online,
autopay, and mortgage company remittances—would still be captured
and applied correctly once the tax roll is updated.
The Assessor and Treasurer agreed to proceed by posting taxes as
originally issued.
Any resulting shortages will be temporarily addressed through the
Treasurer’s over/short fund.
The Assessor and Treasurer will review collection impacts after the
first-half tax payments are received.
A final review will occur after second-half tax payments are
received, at which time updated parcel-level impacts will be
determined.
The Assessor and Treasurer will return to the Board with final
numbers and any recommended adjustments.
Finance was notified of the issue and the interim handling plan to
ensure timely posting and continued reconciliation throughout the
collection period.
Bryan Elliott, Auditor, requested that the Board acknowledge a
temporary shortfall in the Noxious Weed fund of approximately $5,500
to be covered by General Fund, noting that the difference is
expected to be fully reconciled by the end of the year, adding that
his office is prepared to facilitate a budget amendment if needed.
The Board acknowledged the proposed plan as presented and thanked
staff for their work in resolving an unfortunate error.
APPOINTMENT CIVIL SERVICE - ELSTER COMMISSIONERS
Vice-Chairman Wachsmith moved to approve the Reappointment of Tyler
Elster to the Kittitas County Civil Service Commission for a 6-year
term effective immediately and to expire on June 30, 2032. Chairman
Wright seconded. Motion carried 2-0.
06/29/2026 MINUTES 3
LETTER WDFW – COLOCKUM WILDLIFE COMMISSIONERS
Vice-Chairman Wachsmith moved to approve and authorize Board
signature on a letter to Melinda Gray (WDFW) regarding Colockum
Wildlife Area Naneum Forest Restoration Project 26-1524, as
presented. Chairman Wright seconded. Motion carried 2-0.
UPDATE WHITE BOARD COMMISSIONERS
The Board reviewed their current whiteboard topics and provided
status updates.
DISCUSSION COUNTY FACEBOOK COMMISSIONERS
The Board determined that for the week of June 29, 2026, they would
post the following on their Facebook page: one Proclamation for
Lillianna McGuffin, for 1st Place in the Agricultural Education
competition at the Washington State FFA Convention(July 3, 2026);
County Office Closures for 7/3 (noting its America’s 250th birthday
for celebration) and also the Kittitas County Press Release from the
County Assessor’s office regarding 2026 Notice of Value that went
out specifically to correct the Solar assessment.
UPDATE BOCC/ DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS COMMISSIONERS
Each Commissioner was assigned three different Department Heads to
meet with on a weekly basis for the year. The assignments for 2026
were determined during a Board of County Commissioners Office Admin
meeting and they will continue to provide updates at future
meetings.
Each Commissioner reviewed discussions held with their respective
departments and exchanged details of those meetings.
OTHER BUSINESS/GENERAL UPDATES – There were general updates on
meetings & conversations that the Board participated in,
individually, over the past week.
Josh Fredrickson, Public Works Director, reminded the Board that
they had previously discussed and approved the option of a
$5,000.00 relocation allowance for a qualified engineering
candidate. He stated that he has identified a candidate for whom he
intends to extend an offer, and requested authorization to include a
relocation allowance in the offer if needed, depending on whether it
is requested or necessary as part of negotiations. The Board
supported allowing the relocation allowance to be offered at the
Director’s discretion during recruitment.
Meeting concluded at 9:27 a.m.
06/29/2026 MINUTES 4
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Mandy Buchholz Cory Wright, Chairman