Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Search And Rescue topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kittitas County OKs use of Title 3 funds to update sheriff’s search-and-rescue gear
Summary
The Kittitas County Board of Commissioners voted to approve use of Title 3 funds from the U.S. Forest Service to purchase and maintain search-and-rescue equipment for the county sheriff’s office; a separate allocation item will return to the board for final disbursement.
The Kittitas County Board of Commissioners voted to approve using Title 3 funds from the U.S. Forest Service to update and maintain search-and-rescue equipment for the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office.
Public-works staff and the sheriff’s office told the board the funds are federal payments in lieu of taxes for national forest lands and may be used for search-and-rescue activity on those lands. Danny Gottschalla of the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office said the sheriff’s office “believes those funds would be appropriate for use at the sheriff’s office to maintain equipment since a vast majority of our search and rescue efforts are on [U.S. Forest Service] lands.”
The vote followed a public hearing with no members of the public speaking on the record. Commissioners acknowledged that state and federal processes require a public notice before the county can allocate the funds; staff said a separate action will be brought back to the board to make the actual allocation.
Board discussion referenced the county’s historical reliance on timber-related revenue for public services. One commissioner noted earlier timber revenues had supported schools and other local services, and said participation in federal timber and rural programs helps support local needs such as search-and-rescue. Another commissioner expressed support for the purchase, saying the county’s search-and-rescue workloads extend beyond city limits and benefit residents and visitors alike.
The board recorded unanimous approval; staff will return with the specific allocation documents and contracting details for formal adoption.
Details and next steps: staff said the Title 3 funds are administered as part of federal payments tied to national forest lands and that the county must complete a separate allocation step to obligate the funds. No dollar amount or list of specific equipment was presented at the hearing; staff said they will bring back documentation with the proposed purchases and procurement steps.
