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Home My WebLink About2026-05-27-minutes-ph-study-session Public Health Study Session May 27, 2026 at 10:00 am Commissioners’ Conference Room Meeting Minutes Present: Laura Osiadacz, Brett Wachsmith Absent: Cory Wright Others: Chelsey Loeffers, Candi Blackford, Kasey Knutson, Erin Moore, Mark Larson M.D., Robin Read The meeting was called to order at 10:03 by Brett Wachsmith No citizens present for public comment Department Business Human Services committee update Kasey Knutson introduced Robin Read of Robin Read Consulting, who is currently contracted by the County to create and update strategic and action plans for the advisory Committees that Human Services oversees. Mrs. Read reviewed progress to include the following: • 1/10thh of 1% Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Advisory Board: development of strategic plan • Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee: update to the biennial Kittitas County Plan • Homelessness and Affordable Housing Committee: action/implementation plan to dovetail with the 2025-2030 Local Homeless Plan for Kittitas County Mrs. Read discussed next steps to the board. There was brief discussion and the board had no questions. 1/10th Tax Funding for Mental Health and SUD Prevention Kasey Knutson informed the commissioners that in April, Kittitas County Juvenile Probation reached out regarding a client who was pending for inpatient treatment and due to multiple barriers is looking for other avenues for assistance. The family has reached out to see if there was any portion of the 1/10th funding that the BOCC is interested in providing for the individual request. Ms. Knutson noted that treatment is listed within the RCW for the use of tax funding. The board discussed agency use versus individual or family requests of local tax funding. At this time, local tax funding will be used for agencies versus individual requests. Discussion ensued around providing referrals and connections with medical social workers to find resources for the individual and their family. Health Officer Update Mark Larson MD briefly discussed the following: • Insurance cost and payments • Hantavirus • Department measles outbreak and other communicable diseases • FIFA World Cup in June and the possibility of increased public health work • Coordination of efforts with other regions Meeting concluded at 10:44am ___________________________________ BOCC Chair ___________________________________ Candi Blackford, Clerk