Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kittitas County approves Title III funds for Search and Rescue equipment
Summary
The board unanimously approved using Title III funds from the U.S. Forest Service to update Kittitas County Search and Rescue equipment; county staff said funds must be used for operations on Forest Service lands, and no members of the public testified.
Kittitas County commissioners on May 20 voted unanimously to allow the county sheriff’s office to use federal Title III funds to update Search and Rescue equipment.
Chief Deputy Darren Higashiyama presented the staff report explaining that the Title III funds, received through the U.S. Forest Service and administered through Washington State, "may be used to reimburse counties for Search and Rescue and other emergency response activities," and that one criterion is use on Forest Service lands. He said the majority of local Search and Rescue operations occur on Forest Service property, making the proposed use appropriate.
There was no public testimony during the hearing. Vice-Chairman Cory Wright moved to approve the request and Commissioner Brett Wachsmith seconded; Chairman Laura Osiadacz voted with them. The motion carried 3-0.
The action authorizes the sheriff’s office to proceed with procurement and equipment updates consistent with the Title III restrictions for Forest Service lands. The transcript did not specify particular dollar amounts or a procurement timeline; those details were "not specified" in the record.
