Kittitas County commissioners on Wednesday held a public hearing to review community development and housing needs tied to the Washington State Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) public‑services funds and to receive comments on past performance and proposed activities.

The hearing covered the requirement from the Department of Commerce that the county consult the public, especially lower‑income residents, before closing a contract year and before seeking feedback for the upcoming year. "This is very much a requirement from that agency for us to be able to close out a previous contract year and then also have feedback for an upcoming year," said Casey Knutson, public health staff transitioning responsibility for this work within Human Services. Knutson said the CDBG public‑services allocation supports a program called Hope University at HopeSource.

The commissioners and staff discussed documentation and presentation of the contract materials. One commissioner said a staff report had not been available and asked for a fuller, consolidated staff report in the future. Knutson acknowledged an error in distribution and said, "we will make sure that in the future that there's there's no error," and noted the Commerce requirements and program structure are "incredibly complicated." A staff member added that the work is being transitioned from the auditor's office to Human Services.

No members of the public spoke regarding the CDBG public‑services item during the oral comment period. Commissioners moved to approve closing out the Department of Commerce contract for the prior year as presented; the motion carried on a voice vote.

Why it matters: CDBG public‑services funds are federally supported and routed through the state; the hearing is part of a required public‑participation process that affects how local social‑service and housing providers receive funds and report outcomes to the Department of Commerce.

Clarifying details discussed at the hearing included who will carry the program forward within county departments, that the CDBG item discussed was specifically the public‑services portion, and that staff will provide a clearer combined staff report in future hearings. The record will include written materials submitted by staff and any written public comments filed with the clerk.

The commissioners closed the hearing after voting to approve the contract closeout and moved on to other items on the agenda.