HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-10-21-minutes-2027-budget-meeting
2026-10-21 MINUTES 1
KITTITAS COUNTY
2026 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES
BOCC AUDITORIUM, 205 WEST 5TH ROOM 109 - ELLENSBURG
WEDNESDAY 10:30AM OCTOBER 21, 2026
Board members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith, Commissioner Jeff Leichleiter, Commissioner
Laura Osiadacz
Staff Present: Zack DeHaven, Bryan Elliott, Sue Patterson, Anderw Yoder, Jesse Cox,
Andera Morse, Todd Davis, Jane Vanera, Amy Cziske, Mike Hougardy,
Kady Porterfield, Julie Kjorvik (Webex) Mandy Buchholz (Webex)
Christy Garcia (Webex)
1. Call to Order: 10:30AM
2. Citizen Comments – None
3. 2027 Preliminary Budget meetings with Public/External Services
Zack DeHaven presented the 2027 preliminary General Fund budget to the Board of County
Commissioners, noting a projected paper deficit of approximately $4.0 million before applying
vacancy savings, a hiring freeze, restricted fund balance, and other measures that reduce the
structural deficit to approximately $1.3 million. Mr. DeHaven also reviewed the County’s 2027
strategic priorities, a net-zero General Fund budget, addressing capital infrastructure needs,
improving operational efficiency through technology, and strategically using dedicated reserves.
Finally, he reported significant health-benefit renewal increases, particularly a 43.1% stop-loss
increase, and a projected 28.8% medical budget increase driven in part by the County’s claim
experience and reimbursements.
The preliminary Public Family budget, which includes County public-facing services such as the
Assessor, Auditor, Commissioners, Treasurer, Coroner, Event Center, Community Development
Services, Solid Waste, Noxious Weed, and related funds. The proposed expense budget is
approximately $27.8 million, with total expenditures of $28.4 million including internal
transfers, and is primarily allocated to services and personnel. The presentation reviewed revenue
trends, departmental budget growth, staffing levels, and the relative costs of General Fund and
non-General Fund operations. Solid Waste and General Fund departments represent the largest
funds within the Public Family budget. The presentation reviewed departmental expenditures,
staffing, revenue sources, and major budget changes, with no personnel or capital requests noted
for the departments being presented. Key items included election-related costs in the Auditor’s
budget, increased banking fees in the Treasurer’s budget, transfer-station and debt-service
2026-10-21 MINUTES 2
changes in Solid Waste, and increased grant-supported professional services in Community
Development Services.
4. BOCC Questions and Requests for Follow up Information- None
5. Other Business: None
6. Concluded 11:24 AM
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Sue Patterson
Auditor’s Office
Brett Wachsmith, Chairman