Kittitas County commissioners approve change order, pursue city and partner funds to cover rodeo grandstands shortfall

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — At a Jan. 26 study session, the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners approved a construction change order and several procurement and grant-authority actions for fairgrounds and rodeo projects while identifying a funding gap of roughly $400,000 for the Rodeo Grandstands Project and agreeing to seek outside funding to avoid delaying work.

Budget and Finance Director Zack DeHaven told commissioners that about $75,000 from the County’s Capital Reserve 309 fund could be applied to the Timed Event Pen work and that the Ellensburg Rodeo Board may contribute an additional $100,000 if the Board approves terms. DeHaven’s staff report underpins the funding options the Board discussed.

Vice‑Chairman Brett Wachsmith said reducing the project further would be unwise because the scope already has been cut from original plans, and he and County Auditor Bryan Elliott will meet with the City to request at least $500,000 to cover the remaining shortfall. "Cutting the project more to cover the deficit doesn't make sense," Wachsmith said.

Facilities and Maintenance Director Patti Stacey described the contractor’s agreement to a time‑and‑materials approach for tracking work and said the late change to fire‑line materials from the City yielded a change order priced in line with expectations. "We have passed most of the unknown hurdles when it comes to underground utilities," Stacey said, while noting that some electrical needs could still arise and are reflected in the current $400,000 deficit estimate.

As part of the same meeting, the Board approved several formal actions tied to the fairgrounds projects. Vice‑Chairman Wachsmith moved and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz seconded approval of the Construction Project Manager’s (Patti Stacey’s) signature on Change Order No. 2; the motion passed 3‑0. The Board also voted 3‑0 to award the bid for the Rodeo Arena timed event pens and to allow the Chair to electronically sign the pending grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce for the grandstands project.

Commissioners also approved two Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) grant signatures related to fairgrounds work. Kady Porterfield, Event Center Director, confirmed that Grant K6400 for the RV Park adds $250,000 to an earlier $250,000 award from 2023 — $500,000 in total when fully spent — and that the Board voted 3‑0 to permit the Chair’s signature. The Board likewise approved the Chair’s signature on WSDA Grant K6401 for barn electrical upgrades by the same 3‑0 vote. Porterfield said about $3.2 million has been invested at the fairgrounds since her hiring (not including the rodeo grounds), with an estimated 65–70% directed to livestock facilities such as Bloom Pavilion.

Commissioners indicated they preferred pursuing external partner funding rather than further cutting the project. The Board agreed to prioritize use of the 309 fund and Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) 2 funds as needed while requesting city support and working with the Rodeo Board on a contribution agreement that could include applying that payment against contracted rental costs for the arena in 2026 and 2027.

Next steps: Wachsmith and Auditor Bryan Elliott will meet with City officials to request funding; staff will bring Change Order No. 3 and related contract documents to the Board when available. The Board also directed staff to draft a formal proposal for structuring the Capital Reserve 309 fund for future consideration.

Votes at a glance: • Approval of Construction Project Manager signature on Change Order No. 2 — motion moved by Vice‑Chairman Brett Wachsmith, seconded by Commissioner Laura Osiadacz; vote 3‑0 (Wright, Wachsmith, Osiadacz) — approved. • Award of bid for Rodeo Arena timed event pens — motion moved by Vice‑Chairman Brett Wachsmith, seconded by Commissioner Laura Osiadacz; vote 3‑0 — approved. • Approval of Chair’s electronic signature on Department of Commerce grant agreement (Rodeo Grandstands) — motion moved by Vice‑Chairman Brett Wachsmith; vote 3‑0 — approved. • Approval of Chair’s electronic signature on WSDA Grant K6400 (RV Park) — motion moved by Vice‑Chairman Brett Wachsmith; vote 3‑0 — approved. • Approval of Chair’s electronic signature on WSDA Grant K6401 (Barn electrical upgrades) — motion moved by Vice‑Chairman Brett Wachsmith; vote 3‑0 — approved.

The Board discussed but did not vote on any ordinance or policy change; the meeting closed after further discussion of the Capital Reserve 309 fund structure and routine other business.