Kittitas County budget staff outline $2.86M structural shortfall for criminal justice and public safety family; commissioners direct 5% reductions

County staff presented the 2026 preliminary budget for the criminal justice and public safety family and told commissioners the county currently faces a paper deficit of roughly $4.92 million and a structural deficit of about $2.86 million.

Zach (county budget staff) summarized the numbers: "our current paper deficit stands at 4,920,000... that leaves our structural deficit at 2.86." He told the board the figures reflect a 5% assumed vacancy savings, recent personnel rate updates and a $360,000 freeze in sheriff's office positions.

Staff outlined three principal tools to close the remaining gap: redirect interest from non‑staffed special revenue funds into the general fund (staff estimated $900,000 to $1 million could be available), implement prorated or targeted cuts across departmental family groups, and enact a new hiring freeze policy. Zach said the interest redirection plan seeks to use non‑operational special revenue fund balances rather than funds used for staff and operations.

Budget staff also reviewed how the CJPS family is funded and structured. The family…