Kittitas County commissioners approve letter urging Quadco partners to coordinate regional transportation planning

Kittitas County commissioners voted to send a letter to members of the Quad County Transportation Planning Organization (Quadco), asking the four-county region to meet and coordinate staffing and planning to preserve eligibility for state and federal transportation funds. The board approved the action by voice vote.

Josh Fredrickson, Kittitas County Public Works, told commissioners Quadco — a voluntary partnership of Kittitas, Grant, Adams and Lincoln counties and their municipalities — was set up to support regional transportation planning but has relied on a rotating lead-agency model that can strain administrative capacity. "Let's get together and have a conversation so we don't lose out on funding opportunities," he said.

Fredrickson said Quadco receives state funding administered by the Washington State Department of Transportation that can support administrative work, but recent changes in funding and planning expectations have increased the administrative burden. He said the rotating lead-agency cycle (currently Lincoln County is serving as lead) has prompted staff to consider whether the region should pursue dedicated staff or other arrangements so it can prepare regional plans and compete for larger grants.

A commissioner raised the option of counties exploring standalone regional transportation planning organizations and noted that some counties in Washington have taken such steps in the past. Commissioners agreed to send the letter asking Quadco members to discuss possible adjustments to the administrative model.

The motion to send the letter passed by voice vote; the transcript records the motion and "Aye" but does not list individual roll-call votes or specify the motion mover and seconder.