Kittitas County public health previews $11M-plus 2026 budget, proposes environmental fee increases; public hearing set for Dec. 18

Kittitas County Public Health on Sept. 18 presented a preliminary 2026 budget and a proposed fee schedule for environmental health that would shift many fees to full cost recovery, producing substantial increases for some permit types. Chelsea Lutgers, public health director, told the board the department expects nearly $9 million in revenue and just over $11 million in expenses in the preliminary 2026 budget, reflecting the addition of a human services division and the use of fund balances to bridge differences between revenue and expenses. "We are estimating our revenue at almost $9,000,000," Lutgers said, "and we are estimating our expenses at a bit over $11,000,000." Lutgers said the department plans to operate with 28.7 full-time equivalent positions (31 staff) and is not requesting new FTE for 2026. A large share of the…