205 W 5th Ave Ellensburg, WA 98926-2887
Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM
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 - 12/03/2025 - The Kittitas County Board of Commissioners voted yesterday to permanently adopt the 1/10th of 1% behavioral health sales tax following a sunset period requiring measurable, independently reported results across public safety, mental health, and substance use disorder programs. The measure passed 2–1, with Commissioners Brett Wachsmith and Cory Wright voting in favor.
The Board’s decision came after a public hearing marked by unanimous support from law enforcement, fire and EMS leadership, behavioral health providers, nonprofit organizations, and residents who testified to the tax’s lifesaving impact. No individual or agency speaking at the hearing opposed the continuation of the tax or questioned its demonstrated results. Commissioners Highlight Data and Stability Following the hearing, Commissioner Wachsmith said the evidence overwhelmingly justified a permanent commitment to continuing these vital community services. “When every public safety agency, every provider, and every data trend all point in the same direction, we have a responsibility to act. The results speak for themselves with lives improved, crises diverted, families stabilized, and real efficiencies achieved. I am disappointed the vote was not unanimous, especially given that all three commissioners publicly acknowledged the value of this funding. However, I am ecstatic that this tax will remain a permanent part of supporting our local communities.” During the five-year sunset period following passage of the measure by commissioners in 2021, all funded organizations were required to report measurable improvements, including reduced crisis calls, enhanced treatment access, reduced strain on public safety systems, and increased coordination among agencies. Data presented that hearing demonstrated outcomes were consistently met or exceeded. Commissioner Wright emphasized that delaying or weakening the measure would have put essential services at risk. “Our partners need predictable funding to do their jobs. Choosing stability today prevents service interruptions tomorrow. A temporary extension or a political detour would have risked real harm to people who rely on these services. I understand the desire to follow the wishes of a majority, but commissioners are often required to make difficult decisions in the best interest of the entire county. Voters will ultimately judge our decisions at the ballot box, as they should.” Commissioner Osiadacz Casts Lone Dissenting Vote Commissioner Laura Osiadacz cast the lone vote against making the tax permanent. Although she acknowledged the clear value of the funding and did not dispute the positive outcomes demonstrated over the sunset period, she opposed the measure solely on the basis that county residents were not provided an advisory vote, despite RCW 82.14.460 directing approval authority to the Board of County Commissioners. A statement from Commissioner Osiadacz was unavailable at the time of release. Next Steps With the tax now permanent, Kittitas County will continue its data-driven oversight model, requiring ongoing reporting to ensure accountability and maintain the measurable progress achieved since initial implementation. A link to the Recorded Meeting can be found here
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
###
Contact: Kittitas County Board of Commissioners(509) 962-7508 • www.co.kittitas.wa.us
