Yakima County

The meeting agenda included a Call to Order, a Public Comment period, and several scheduled hearings beginning at 8:40 A.M. and concluding with hearings starting at 10:30 A.M. The subsequent agenda items covered Deliberations & Decisions, New Business, and Adjournment. Specific new business items involved several reference numbers (e.g., 239-2026, 266-2026, 279-2026, etc.) associated with proceedings involving various residents.

Key discussions and items addressed during this meeting included a Certificate of Recognition presented to Kim Pfaff of County Roads. Consent items covered several departmental matters: Payroll Warrant Certification for the Auditor, approval of previous Work Session and Regular Agenda Minutes for the Commissioner, declaring surplus county vehicles and equipment (Resolution 59-2026) for County Roads, an amendment to the Inmate Health Care Services Agreement with Wellpath LLC (Agreement 50-2026) for Corrections, additions/deletions to budgeted positions in the Assessor department (Resolution 60-2026) for Human Resources, amending the Sales and Use Tax for Mental Health and related programs (Ordinance 1-2026) for Human Services, a five-year lease agreement for Grant County Child Support office space (Agreement 49-2026) for the Prosecutor, authorizing contracts to repair a waterline in Terrace Heights (Resolution 61-2026) and signing a Department of Commerce Climate Planning Grant (Resolution 62-2026) for Public Services, and the establishment of the Emergency Communication System Sales Tax Fund 159 (Resolution 63-2026) for Technology Services. The agenda also included a Financial Planning Update.

The meeting agenda included various items under Consent Items and Regular Agenda. Consent items covered the approval of Accounts Payable Warrants dated February 27, 2026, and the minutes from the Commissioner meetings on February 17, 2026, February 19, 2026, and February 24, 2026. Corporate Counsel presented Resolution 55-2026 approving a settlement of Claim No. 54-2024 for $30,000. County Roads addressed Resolution 56-2026, awarding the bid for the Independence Road Improvement Project Phase 2 for approximately $2.44 million. Financial Services involved a Franchise Agreement with Charter Communications and an SIED Contract with the Yakima County Development Association for the FIRA USA Trade Show, not to exceed $200,000. Human Resources proposed Resolution 58-2026 regarding additions/deletions to budgeted positions. Human Services dealt with Agreement 46-2026 for CDBG Program Public Services Grants totaling $152,000. Public Services sought authorization for acquisitions related to the Shaw Creek and Wide Hallow Creek Project, funded by a FEMA Grant. WSU Extension proposed an agreement for the 2026 Extension Program. The Regular Agenda included further Accounts Payable Warrant Approvals and a Financial Planning Update presentation.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the Consent Agenda. Key actions taken included the certification of payroll warrants for February 2026. Several resolutions were passed: appointing members to the Yakima Homeless Coalition Executive Committee, appointing Victor DeLong to the Yakima Valley Libraries Board of Trustees, authorizing the advertisement for bids for the Cheyne Crushing and Stockpiling Project, temporarily closing a portion of Barkes Road for bridge repair, and authorizing the advertisement for a Request for Qualifications for Yakima County Emergency Communications (911) Consolidation Facilitator Services. Agreements were approved concerning an amendment to a professional services contract with ARAMARK Correctional Services, LLC, a professional services agreement for monthly email and newsletter services, and consulting services for an environmental reevaluation project. The Human Resources department received approval for additions/deletions to budgeted positions within the District Court and other funds. In New Business, the Commissioners agreed to support funding requests for a warm Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and a medical detox facility.

Key discussions included justifying and approving recruitment for a vacant Utilities Maintenance Technician III position, which is near resignation, under the 2026 Fiscal Accountability Measures Resolution. The Board also approved a request to spend approximately $150 for providing lunch for volunteers involved in the promotional process for a new Department of Corrections Chief. Furthermore, the Commissioners reviewed the agenda items for the subsequent Tuesday Regular Agenda Meeting and determined the Board should opt in to a new wave of opioid settlements to receive eligible funds.