HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-11-02-minutes-quarterly-update-with-prosecutor11/02/2026 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON CONFERENCE ROOM SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY 10:00 AM NOVEMBER 2, 2026
Board members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith; Vice-Chairman Laura
Osiadacz; Commissioner Jeff Leichleiter.
Others: Jodi Larsen, Office Administrator; Greg Zempel, Prosecuting
Attorney; Jodi Hammond, Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor; Stephanie
Hartung, Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor; James McCubbin, Deputy
Prosecutor III, Elishia Harvill, Chief Administrator; Kady
Porterfield, Event Center 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.
At 10:01 a.m. Chairman Wachsmith announced the Board would recess
into Executive Session for five minutes with James McCubbin, Deputy
Prosecuting Attorney III and Kady Porterfield, Event Center Director
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. Possible action anticipated.
At 10:06 a.m. the Board reconvened out of Executive Session. Vice
Chair Osiadacz made a motion to approve the Chair signature on a
letter to ALSC Architects regarding final payment on the Ellensburg
Rodeo Improvement Project. Commissioner Leichleiter seconded. Motion
passed 3-0.
Prosecuting Attorney Greg Zempel provided an administrative update
regarding upcoming changes to caseload requirements. The State
Statute has the allowable attorney caseload requirements decreasing
over the next several years. He said this can negatively affect the
way criminal charges are handled in Kittitas County and allow for
more charges to be dismissed with prejudice. The Prosecuting
Attorney’s office encouraged the Board to review the Statute as well
as County Code to ensure we provide the best service for our
community.
State and Federal funding for the “Witness Advocare Fund” has been
significantly reduced. Funds are only available for Domestic Violence
11/02/2026 MINUTES 1
cases. The fund is not sustainable under this current funding
mechanism. The Prosecutor’s Office is looking into other funding
sources but wants the Board to be aware of the issues this brings for
Criminal cases.
Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor, Stephanie Hartung, reported that the
Civil Division received 100 more LRS submissions than last year. The
County also received more than 2,600 public records requests, a
substantial year-over-year increase. Staff are evaluating software to
support public records management and plan to demonstrate several
programs for capability and compatibility. The goal is to implement
any system change in January 2027, coordinated with the County’s
other IT changes.
Chief Criminal Deputy Jodi Hammond reviewed current criminal
caseloads and demands on staff. Of the 363 new felonies submitted for
review, charges were brought forward in 270. Of the 9 felony appeals
that were filed, all convictions were upheld. Ms. Hammond stated that
although crime is down the cases they do have are considerably more
complicated.
OTHER BUSINESS - NONE
The meeting concluded at 10:58 a.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Jodi Larsen Brett Wachsmith, Chairman