HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-03-minutes-quarterly-update-with-prosecutor08/04/2026 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON CONFERENCE ROOM SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY 10:00 AM AUGUST 3, 2026
Board members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith; Vice-Chairman Laura
Osiadacz.
Others: Jodi Larsen, Office Administrator; Greg Zempel, Prosecuting
Attorney; Jodi Hammond, Chief Criminal Deputy; Stephanie Hartung,
Chief Civil Deputy; James McCubbin, Deputy Prosecutor III, Therese
Murphy, Deputy Prosecutor III; Elishia Harvill, Chief Administrator;
Zack Dehaven, Budget & Finance Director.
CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE SPECIAL MEETING: QUARTERLY UPDATE WITH PROSECUTOR COMMISSIONERS
At 10:00 a.m. Chairman Wachsmith called a Special Meeting to order
with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office management staff.
The Prosecuting Attorney's Office provided an administrative update,
including an overview of grant and funding sources, the impact of
funding reductions, and the current status of Fund 130. Chief
Administrator Harvill reported that staff are actively pursuing
alternative funding sources and grant opportunities to help offset
reductions from other funding entities.
Prosecuting Attorney Zemple provided a staffing update, noting that
the office anticipates a vacancy effective October 1 and is currently
recruiting for the position.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney III James McCubbin presented a litigation
letter to ALSC Architects regarding the Ellensburg Rodeo Arena
Improvement Project and requested the Chair's signature. Commissioner
Osiadacz moved to approve and sign the letter as presented. Chairman
Wachsmith seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney III Therese Murphy and Budget and Finance
Director Zack DeHaven reported that they are working with the City of
Ellensburg to finalize a contract for Office of Public Defense
services. Once that agreement is completed, staff plans to pursue
similar agreements with the remaining municipalities.
Chief Criminal Deputy Jodi Hammond reviewed current criminal
caseloads, reporting a 30% increase in filings since October,
08/04/2026 MINUTES 1
bringing the office's annual caseload to approximately 300 cases. Ms.
Hammond stated that staff continue to evaluate workload trends and
future caseload projections.
Chief Civil Deputy Stephanie Hartung reported that the Civil Division
is fully staffed, allowing the office to process civil matters in a
timely and efficient manner.
Prosecuting Attorney Zemple also provided an update on the Central
Services Committee (CSC) and its current projects. He thanked Mr.
DeHaven for his leadership of the committee and clarified
expectations regarding committee reporting.
At 10:31 a.m. Chairman Wachsmith announced the Board would recess
into Executive Session for five minutes with Chief Civil Deputy
Stephanie Hartung, and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney III James
McCubbin, pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss with legal
counsel matters relating to agency litigation or potential litigation
in which public knowledge of the discussion was likely to result in
an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency. No action
was anticipated.
At 10:36 a.m. the Board reconvened out of Executive Session. No
action was takenOTHER BUSINESS - NONE
The meeting concluded at 10:37 a.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Jodi Larsen Brett Wachsmith, Chairman