Yakima County commissioners reviewed the Jan. 14 work-session agenda and asked department heads to include potential budget efficiencies in upcoming department reports, the board said at a short meeting on Jan. 14.

The board previewed a packed consent calendar that included multiple contracts and resolutions: a resolution to advertise bids for 2025 gravel road surface stabilization material; an agreement with Fulcrum Environmental Consulting for a Superior Court remodel; an agreement with HOK Incorporated for a jail study; property tax levy increase authorizations and amendments for 2025; allocations of mental health sales tax funds for internal projects and RFP projects for 2025; an agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce for the Stop Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program; a land lease with Fuller Orchards; and a renewal agreement for debt book software used by the Auditor's Office. The board also set a closed-record public hearing to consider the hearing examiner's recommendation on ZON 2024-0001, CUP 2024-0021 and AJD 2024-0004; Aaron Cohen from planning was listed to present that item.

Julie Lawrence, Clerk of the Board, read through the agenda items for commissioners. Commissioners noted the courthouse remodel and jail study contracts and the property tax-levy resolutions and did not request items be moved or tabled from the agenda. The transcript does not record dollar amounts or detailed contract terms for the listed agreements or the precise tax-levy changes.

During general discussion, one commissioner asked that Julie Lawrence contact department heads and ask that their department-head reports include where they see potential efficiency and savings while continuing essential services. The same commissioner said they wanted those conversations to start early in the budget process rather than waiting until summer. Lawrence confirmed she would reach out to department heads to request that information.

The board also discussed scheduling for the county's strategic plan, noting the possibility of a Thursday check-in or moving the item to a Monday work session if Commissioner McKinney cannot attend due to obligations with LSAC. No formal action on the strategic plan timing was recorded.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn from Commissioner Lindner, a second by another commissioner, and an affirmative voice vote. The transcript does not record a roll-call vote or detailed attendance for the vote.

The board's next steps include the closed-record hearing on the zoning matters with Aaron Cohen presenting and the planned outreach to department heads for efficiency reporting in advance of the budget process.