HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-08-minutes-hr-study-session2026-09-08 MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY
HR STUDY SESSION MINUTES
BOCC CONFERENCE ROOM, 205 W 5TH AVE., ROOM 108, ELLENSBURG
Regular Meeting
TUESDAY 10:00 AM 9/08/2026
Board Members Present: Brett Wachsmith, Laura Osiadacz, Jeff Leichleiter
Others Present: Eileen Murphy, Zack DeHaven, Therese Murphy, Jeanne Killgore
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 AM.
CITIZEN COMMENTS (1 MINUTE TIME LIMIT)
None.
DISCUSSION/DECISION – PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE STAFFING
Deputy Prosecutor Murphy presented a request to approve the hire of a full-time Rule 9 intern for up to one year
to fill a vacant Deputy Prosecutor position. The Board provided direction to move forward in recruiting for a Rule
9 Intern.
DISCUSSION/DECISION – DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC DEFENSE STAFFING
Public Defense Director Murphy requested Board approval to hire a new Public Defense Attorney. She
summarized that the request comes in response to the recent retirement of one of her contract attorneys, as well as
the State’s requirement on case loads for defense attorneys. The Board approved the position request. Director
Murphy further requested an exception to the recruitment policy to rehire a recently departed attorney into the
newly created Defense Attorney role. The Board provided direction to move forward with rehiring the former
employee.
CLOSED SESSION – RCW 42.30.140(4)(B)
The OPMA does not apply to that portion of a meeting during which the governing body is planning or adopting the
strategy or position to be taken by the governing body during the course of any collective bargaining negotiations, or
grievance or mediation proceedings, or reviewing the proposals made in the negotiations or proceedings while in progress.
The Board entered closed session to discuss collective bargaining. The Board exited closed session with no action
taken.
OTHER BUSINESS
EXECUTIVE SESSION – RCW 42.30.110(G) - To evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to
review the performance of a public employee. However, subject to RCW 42.30.140(4), discussion by a governing body of
salaries, wages, and other conditions of employment to be generally applied within the agency shall occur in a meeting open
to the public, and when a governing body elects to take final action, hiring, setting the salary of an individual employee or
class of employees, or discharging or disciplining an employee, that a ction shall be taken in a meeting open to the public.
2026-09-08 MINUTES
The Board entered executive session at 10:55 AM to discuss the performance of a public employee for five
minutes. No action anticipated. The executive session was attended by the Board, HR Director Killgore, and
Deputy Prosecutor Murphy. The Board reconvened out of executive session at 11:00 AM with no action taken.
Director Killgore notified the Board that in the next few weeks she would be initiating county-wide harassment
training for staff.
CONCLUDED
The meeting was concluded at 11:04 AM.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Jeanne Killgore, HR Director Brett Wachsmith, Chair