YAKIMA COUNTY, WA (KIMA)– The Yakima Humane Society takes on the brunt of stray animals in Yakima County and now commissioners are looking into the possibility of a canine shelter ran by the county as a solution.
This humane society says they are still overwhelmed saying quote “Due to the overwhelming number of homeless pets in Yakima County, the Yakima Humane Society is continually running at or over capacity.”
County commissioner Kyle Curtis is now aware too.
“I had a conversation with the executive director of the humane society and was brought to my attention that on average they have about 100 dogs that are being turned away,” Curtis said.
“I still think there is a future for dog tags and the revenue that can be turned right around into animal facilities, but that’s a bigger conversation,” Udell said. “How do we do that? How do we get the initial staffing and then move forward with that?”
We asked Curtis what would have to happen to be able to financially make a canine shelter work in the long term.
“I think we’d have to get creative there,” Curtis said. “I know a lot of counties what they lean into heavily is dog licensing and quite frankly we at the county have been relaxed about enforcing dog licensing. If that program gets up and running and people know when they buy a dog license that those dollars go to help support a canine shelter, I think it’s a win for everyone.”
YAKIMA, Wash.-Yakima County is hosting a series of affordable housing community forums this winter.
The community is invited to participate in the forum series beginning on Jan. 8, to explore how to best use Affordable Housing Sales Tax Credit dollars and other funding to address the issue of affordable housing in the area.
“It’s important that we utilize and deploy our dollars in a strategic way,” said Yakima County Commissioner Kyle Curtis.
“Engaging and getting input for our builders, developers and housing providers is the best way to ensure we maximize these precious dollars but also ensure we are looking at all ways that government can reduce housing costs,” said Commissioner Curtis.
AKIMA COUNTY, Wash. — Yakima County Commissioners have voiced concerns to Mr. Louis DeJoy, Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer of the United States Postal Service (USPS), expressing worry regarding the timeliness of mail processing in the county.
The move comes in response to USPS’s announcement on March 23, 2021, of its ten-year Delivering for America plan, aimed at providing prompt, reliable, and efficient mail and package shipping services across the nation, irrespective of location, and at affordable rates. One strategy outlined in the plan is the Mail Processing Facility Review (MPFR), with the Yakima post office currently under review in Washington State’s 4th Congressional District.
“Yakima County relies heavily on the Postal Service for timely mail delivery, and today we voice our deep concerns regarding USPS’s proposed changes to the Yakima processing facility and the ensuing impact on processing and delivery timelines in Yakima County,” stated Commissioner Kyle Curtis.
The issue of ensuring timely postal operations is significant and warrants attention from USPS to maintain exceptional delivery standards. Yakima County has experienced numerous instances of unreliable service resulting in significant delivery delays.
“Any alterations to the Yakima processing facility that necessitate mail leaving the county for processing undermine the objective of providing prompt, reliable, and efficient mail and package shipping services to all Americans,” said Commissioner Curtis.
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On Tuesday, Yakima County Commissioners approved a $354 million preliminary budget with $78 million of that supporting the general fund, which mostly pays for law and justice services.
Commissioners scheduled two public hearings on the budget — 10 a.m. Dec. 5 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Both hearings will be held in Room B33 of the Yakima County Courthouse at 129 N. Second St.
The proposed budget also includes a wish list. Some of the larger request are $500,000 for equipment rental and revolving enhancements, $450,000 for an evidence collection vehicle and $119,665 for a SWAT Team partnership.
“The County, like all local governments, deals with rising costs that are met with limited tax dollars. In order to balance our budget and deliver mandated and essential services at the same level to our community, we needed to make hard decisions,” Curtis said.
YAKIMA, Wash.-A new passport office in the Yakima County Courthouse is scheduled to open on Wednesday, September 13.
Yakima residents can now apply for a passport and have their picture taken in one location according to Yakima County Auditor Charles Ross.
Passport services are available by appointment only and can be scheduled a month in advance, with new dates available on the 15th of each month according to a press release from the Auditor’s Office.
“Yakima County is a diverse community with a large demand for passport service,” said Kyle Curtis, Yakima County Commissioner. “This is a sustainable and efficient service provided to our community.”
The new passport office is on the main floor, room #116 of the Yakima County Courthouse located at 128 N. 2nd St. and is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. (by appointment only).
To the editor — It has been my pleasure to know, and work with, Kyle Curtis both personally and professionally in recent years, and I have been impressed by his commitment to serving our local community.
He has an excellent grasp of the complexities of public and private finances, does his homework before coming to a meeting, is willing to always learn all sides of an issue before deciding on a course of action, and has an unusually even temperament that serves him well in contentious discussions.
He has demonstrated leadership and/or service on the Yakima County Development Association, the Yakima County Planning Commission, the Heritage University Business Advisory Committee, Yakima Downtown Rotary and other organizations. He has no agenda in running for a seat on the Yakima County Board of Commissioners other than a desire to do what is best for all county residents.
Please give Kyle Curtis your vote and support; he is truly a terrific individual I would be proud to call “my” county commissioner.
JOHN A. BAULE
Yakima
Kyle Curtis is currently running for Yakima County Commissioner for District 2. This is a great conversation with him as he shares some of his travel experiences that have helped him become a better leader. If you want to learn about Kyle and his campaign you can check out his website – kyleforyakima.com.
To the editor — The original responsibility of the Yakima County commissioners was to build roads. Today though, the list has grown tremendously.
I serve on some 18 committees, representing ALL citizens of the county. It the duty of commissioners to promote what is best for everyone, not their own agendas.
Kyle Curtis, with his business background, the knowledge and experience of Yakima County and the state, will serve us ALL very well.
His involvement locally and beyond gives him the basis of the inner working of our communities and neighborhoods. And it will give him an edge in the years to follow as commissioners process the federal funds that will be targeted to improve our county in the future. I am proud to endorse Kyle, as I know he will continue to build upon the work of representing you, the residents of District 2, and the entire county.
RON ANDERSON
Yakima County Commission
To the editor — I first met Kyle Curtis when he was in high school, and even at that age he impressed me.
Since then Kyle has graduated from the U of W and has several years of work experience as a financial analyst. He is a hard worker and knowledgeable in finances and budgets as he is currently the vice president and CFO of his family’s businesses.
Kyle has integrated himself back into the community since his return several years ago. He is the chair of the Heritage College Business Advisory committee; on the executive board of the Yakima County Development Association; vice chair of the Yakima County Planning Commission; and a member of Yakima Downtown Rotary.
He possesses common sense and is able to work well with others. Kyle Curtis is by far the best choice for Yakima County Commissioner Position 2 and please join me in voting for his election.
CURTIS KING
Yakima
To the editor — I am writing this letter in support of Kyle Curtis for Yakima County commissioner, District 2.
One of the main reasons I am endorsing him is that I find him to be a unifier. Right now, it seems as though our nation is being torn asunder by all the divisiveness, and that is not what our county needs to move forward. Kyle doesn’t represent the extreme views of either side and that is precisely why he stands out.
I have known Kyle for many years now and one of his most outstanding qualities is his evenhandedness when it comes to making decisions. He is thorough, knowledgeable and does extensive homework on any subject before reaching a decision. And, for those reasons and many more, I can see him helping to steer Yakima County in the right direction.
So please join me in voting for Kyle Curtis for county commissioner, District 2.
RITA HANSES
Yakima