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Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Kittitas County, WA - 03/12/2018 - County Commissioner Paul Jewell has announced his resignation, stating his last official day will be June 30th. Jewell has served as the elected County Commissioner for District 1 since November 2008. He was re-elected twice, in 2012 and 2016, and is currently in the second year of his third term. His current term will expire at the end of 2020.
While in office, Jewell has been the lead Commissioner on most water, land use, state legislative and budget issues. He also serves as the current Chairman of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and the Public Lands Advisory Committee. He is resigning as Commissioner to accept a position with the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC). “This was a really hard decision for me to make,” commented Commissioner Jewell. “It has been a great honor to serve as a Commissioner these last several years. But the opportunity to work on county issues at the statewide level is very exciting to me. I couldn’t pass it up.” Jewell will be taking on the role of Policy Director for WSAC, overseeing a broad range of issues, including natural resources, water, and land use. Created in 1906, WSAC is a voluntary, non-profit association serving all of Washington’s 39 counties. The Association provides a variety of services to its member counties including advocacy, training and workshops, and a forum to network and share best practices. Kittitas County is a member of WSAC and Jewell has worked with the organization during his time as County Commissioner in a variety of roles including Co-Chairman of the Legislative Steering Committee and Chairman of the Columbia River Counties Caucus. “We are pleased that Commissioner Jewell has agreed to join our staff at WSAC,” stated Eric Johnson, WSAC Executive Director. “He brings a unique blend of business and county elected official experience that combines with his keen understanding of county government, WSAC, and our membership.” Jewell’s resignation will create a vacancy in the Commissioner’s office leaving the remaining two Commissioners with the responsibility for appointing someone to fill the seat until an election for the position is held. The appointment process will begin July 1.
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
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Contact: Paul Jewell, Kittitas County Commissioner 509-962-7508Eric Johnson, Washington State Association of Counties 360-753-1886