HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-10-13-minutes-hr-study-session (2)2026-10-13 MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY
HR STUDY SESSION MINUTES
BOCC CONFERENCE ROOM, 205 W 5TH AVE., ROOM 108, ELLENSBURG
Regular Meeting
TUESDAY 10:00 AM 10/13/2026
Board Members Present: Brett Wachsmith, Laura Osiadacz, Jeff Leichleiter
Others Present: Clay Myers, Ben Kokjer, Zack DeHaven, Andrew Yoder, Therese Murphy, Jeanne Killgore,
Member of the Public
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 AM.
CITIZEN COMMENTS (1 MINUTE TIME LIMIT)
Citizen Jesse Potts submitted an email titled, “FORMAL NOTICE OF OPMA STATUTORY OBJECTION –
PRE-MEDIATED LEGISLATIVE FRAUD PROTEST – MANDATORY EVASION FREEZE REGARDING
THE OCTOBER 13, 2026 HR STUDY SESSION.”
DISCUSSION/DECISION – COUNTYWIDE HIRING FREEZE FOR NEW JOB POSTING REQUESTS
The Board reviewed a resolution to implement a Countywide hiring freeze on new job posting requests, as well as
announcements about the hiring freeze to Management Team and County employees. Commissioner Osiadacz
moved to approve Resolution 2026-168 to establish a hiring freeze. Commissioner Leichleiter seconded the
motion. Motion was passed; 3:0.
DISCUSSION/DECISION – OFFICE AIDE
The Board discussed reactivating the Office Aide position within their office. The Board has previously employed
an Office Aide to perform light housekeeping and organizational tasks for four to six hours per week. The position
is designed to support Kittitas County’s developmental disability services. Commissioner Osiadacz moved to
approve reactivating the Office Aide position. Commissioner Leichleiter seconded the motion. Motion was
passed; 3:0.
DISCUSSION/DECISION – EXEMPT SALARY THRESHOLD
HR Director Killgore summarized that Washington State’s exempt salary threshold will increase next year,
resulting in both positions and employees falling below the minimum salary required to retain their FLSA exempt
status. Director Killgore reviewed the County’s past practice for addressing the exempt salary threshold and
presented a report of the employees and positions who will not meet the threshold in 2027.
The Board provided direction to reclassify exempt positions to non-exempt when any portion of the established
salary range falls below the 2027 exempt salary threshold. Employees whose wages will also fall below the
exempt salary threshold will be reclassified to non-exempt. The Board provided further direction to allow an
employee to remain exempt when the employee’s actual salary meets or exceeds the exempt salary threshold.
2026-10-13 MINUTES
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 closed session was attended by the Board,
HR Director Killgore, Deputy Prosecutor Murphy, Sheriff Myers, Chief Deputy Kokjer, Budget & Finance
Director DeHaven, and Assistant Budget & Finance Director Yoder. The Board exited closed session with no
action taken.
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 action shall be taken in a meeting open to the public.
The Board entered executive session at 10:37 AM to discuss the performance of a public employee for 10
minutes. No anticipated action. The executive session was attended by the Board, HR Director Killgore, Deputy
Prosecutor Murphy, Sheriff Myers, and Chief Deputy Kokjer. The Board reconvened out of executive session at
10:47 AM with no action taken.
OTHER BUSINESS
None.
CONCLUDED
The meeting was concluded at 10:47 AM.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Jeanne Killgore, HR Director Brett Wachsmith, Chair