1. Call to Order

Chairperson DeVaney called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. in the council chambers, Yakima City Hall; 129 N Second St.; Yakima, Washington.

2. Roll Call

Thornsbury conducted roll call and declared a quorum present.

Board members: Amanda McKinney, County Representative, Present

Steven Jones, Ph.D., County Representative, Present

Janice Deccio, Large City Representative, Present

Hilda González, Ed.D., City Representative, Present (via video-conference)
Jon DeVaney, Member-at-Large, Present

Staff present: Marc Thornsbury, Executive Director

3. Changes to the Agenda

DeVaney asked if there were any changes to the agenda. None were requested.

4. Public Comment

DeVaney asked if there were any public comments.

Jean Mendoza stated the Wash. Dept. of Ecology is required to address air quality in overburdened communities and it has identified three overburdened communities in Yakima County. She added it is also required to install additional air monitors, noting there are times when the air quality in Sunnyside is different than that in Granger or Mabton and the air quality in downtown Yakima is different than that in Moxee. Mendoza noted Ecology held public meetings concerning Chapter 173-448 Washington Administrative Code (WAC) on December 10 and took public comment concerning how to implement the statutory requirements, adding the Agency did not appear to have commented on the matter nor has the board discussed how Ecology should proceed.

Mendoza explained Ecology is required to consult with local air pollution control authorities regarding implementing the law. She expressed her opinion Yakima County has historically resisted any attempt by the state to “tell it what to do” and noted while Ecology is obligated to offer consultation to local authorities, it cannot compel their participation or collaboration. Mendoza stated the Board should consider the advantages and disadvantages of participation by the Agency. She added the Friends of Toppenish Creek (FoTC) considers dairies to be significant contributors to air emissions in Yakima County and Ecology has yet to address the matter.

5. Public Hearing – 2026 Fee Schedule

DeVaney opened the public hearing and asked if there were any comments.

Jean Mendoza asked if, in a public hearing, there was no time limit on comments and questions could be asked. DeVaney stated no time limit had been set—though it was hoped persons offering comment would be respectful of the board members’ time—and explained the purpose of the hearing was to accept testimony from members of the public without necessarily providing direct answers to questions.

Mendoza asked if there was a policy concerning how frequently Agency fees are adjusted. DeVaney stated fees were adjusted and/or reviewed annually and generally based on recovering the costs of the Agency in carrying out its duties with minor exceptions where rates are set by others (e.g. agricultural burning fees).

Mendoza asked in the fees charged by the Agency cover the costs of implementing its permits. DeVaney stated his understanding fees are largely charged for permitting and not for monitoring or enforcement. He added it had been some time since he had personally reviewed the matter.

Mendoza noted the state is significantly increasing its permit fees for 2026. She stated her belief that for minor sources, a base fee is charged that covers the first ten (10) hours of permitting time with any hours over that amount billed at $119 per hour in 2025 with an increase in 2026 of forty-eight percent (48%) for the base fee and $29 per hour. Mendoza asked how the Agency’s fees compare to those charged by Ecology. DeVaney stated he had not conducted a comparison of the two, adding doing so would likely be difficult as Ecology’s operating costs are substantially higher and, thus, their fees would be expected to be higher as well. McKinney added Ecology has a more expansive role in enforcement and provides technical assistance to small, local municipalities that cannot afford to have qualified persons on staff.

Mendoza asked if it is more advantageous for a local business to obtain a permit through the Agency than it would be through Ecology and whether Yakima County receives benefits from Ecology even though Ecology does not do permitting in Yakima County. DeVaney stated such questions were beyond the scope of the fee schedule being considered and would likely require a more thorough review by staff. Mendoza stated the FoTC has asked for meetings but the Community Forum is no longer being held.

Mendoza stated her understanding the Agency base fee for air quality permits is zero with only staff time charged and suggested Ecology charges a base fee. See urged the Board to consider establishing a base fee for air quality permits.

Nancy Lust, Friends of Rocky Top (FoRT), asked if her impression was correct that a majority of the Agency’s resources are consumed in granting permits. DeVaney stated the agency is involved in reviewing, issuing, and enforcing permits. Lust stated enforcement is important and when the Agency issues a permit, it is important that it “trust but verify”. She added the Agency does not seem to have the staff, time, or energy to do so and the public is lucky if a facility is inspected once each year.

Lust stated it did not appear the costs of enforcement are factored into the fee schedule, only the costs of issuing permits. She added the cost of enforcement should be included in the fees and encouraged the Agency to perform a cost recovery analysis to understand its financial needs and what companies are consuming Agency resources. Lust noted Ecology has resources of which the Agency does not appear to be taking advantage and suggested more attention be paid to enforcement when considering fees.

DeVaney closed the public hearing.

González joined the meeting.

6. Board Meeting Minutes for November 11, 2025

McKinney moved to approve the November 11, 2025, minutes. Deccio seconded. Motion passed 4-0.

7. Payroll Transfer Authorization for October 2025

McKinney moved to approve the October 2025 payroll transfer. Deccio seconded. Motion passed 4-0.

8. Vouchers for November 2025

McKinney moved to approve the November 2025 vouchers. Deccio seconded. Motion passed 4-0.

9. Resolution 2025-06 Adopting 2026 Fee Schedule

DeVaney asked if Thornsbury had any remarks. Thornsbury noted staff reviewed the financial outlook for the Agency in light of the reduction in state funding, the current financial condition of the Agency, and the current rate of inflation. He explained these were used to develop a proposed increase that would allow current staffing levels to be maintained. Thornsbury stated this would be without the position lost due to the reduction in state funding, noting the position could be restored, but doing so would require a substantially greater increase. He added the hope is full funding will be restored in the next biennial state budget.

McKinney stated a number of agencies are going to be experiencing dramatic reductions in funding and described how the Wash. Dept. of Natural Resources funding for wildfire prevention efforts will be cut by fifty percent (50%). She explained this will increase the risk of wildfires that result in more smoke in the air. McKinney noted that while the Agency has some autonomy as to the fees it adopts, residents are also feeling financially constrained by the taxes and fees they pay, prompting them to vote against increases for even critical school and public safety levies.

McKinney expressed her belief the Agency has done well in balancing the need to discharge its review, permitting, and enforcement duties with more aggressive action that would increase costs. She noted an outcry from the community at-large would likely result as they would be forced to bear the resulting financial burden since a more selective approach could be considered “targeting” and create a potential legal problem for the Agency. McKinney explained enforcement of any kind, including code enforcement for the city and county of Yakima, will likely see service reductions as a result of reduced funding.

Jones expressed concern regarding the $250,000 in unallocated funds resulting from the salaries not paid for vacant positions and the $550,000 allocated for building acquisition. He added he does not believe the Agency should be “in the real estate business” and remarked the funds could be used to supplement the budget rather than raising fees. Jones suggested fees remain unchanged in 2026 with the shortfall covered by Agency reserve funds.

McKinney asked Thornsbury if there existed any regulatory obligation to keep the funds identified for capital expenditures. Thornsbury replied there was no such obligation. DeVaney expressed reluctance to fore a fee increase before the Board has a better understanding of the financial support the Agency can expect from the state. He added a discussion of reserve funds and their use would be an appropriate discussion point during the coming budget process. McKinney expressed support for Jones’ remarks, adding that it would be irresponsible to make any substantial changes until the future of state funding is better understood.

McKinney stated as soon as clarity is achieved regarding state funding, she would like to begin the budget process including the transfer of funds out of reserves. Thornsbury reviewed the typical schedule, stated his willingness to begin the process earlier, cautioned the Board starting earlier would extend the projections required (as there would be fewer months for which actual revenues and expenditures would be known), and reminded the Board in past years it has not spent much time discussing the budget in April despite having a proposed budget available—often waiting until the May or June meetings to address details. McKinney acknowledged the budget schedule is likely acceptable and requested the proposed budget include an option to transfer funds from reserves in order to avoid a fee increase in 2027.

Jones noted some of the revenue sources, such as the supplemental income, are predictable while others, such as state and federal funds, are less so. He asked when the Agency will have certainty regarding the latter. Thornsbury stated it is his understanding the state may adjust its grant funding largely without notice and added his concern was more with respect to a reduction in federal funding than one in state funding—especially once budget discussions at the state level had concluded. DeVaney suggested the condition of the state budget would be clearer by March or April. McKinney concurred, adding more would likely be known once the legislature is in session.

González asked Thornsbury to provide some background information concerning possible building acquisition. She expressed concern that if the Agency intends to acquire a building, taking funds allocated for that purpose in order to supplement revenues would reduce the monies available in the future while the costs of acquisition would be increasing. González added if the Agency continues to lease space, those costs will continue to increase as well.

Thornsbury explained the possible acquisition of a building was a matter of discussion before his arrival at the Agency and the catalyst for it is unknown to him. He noted it is his understanding such an acquisition would take place at or near the end of the lease term and the purpose was to insulate the Agency from future costs related to leasing space which are ongoing and increase over time. Thornsbury cautioned that building ownership is not without costs for maintenance and replacement, but noted lessors typically expect to derive a profit above and beyond the costs of maintenance and replacement and that added cost is passed along to those the Agency serves.

Thornsbury explained the fundamental question was whether the Agency should seek to inoculate itself against future cost increases—and do so in a way that is less painful [than a substantial interim fee increase]—and derive a long-term benefit that would actually help limit future fee increases by reducing the Agency’s operating costs. He noted the discussion was quite broad and conceptual in nature with no detailed analysis conducted. Thornsbury explained that when wage and benefit costs were low due to departures and retirements, the funds saved were set aside so they would be available in the future should the Board decide to proceed in order to reduce its long-term costs.

Thornsbury stated there is no obligation on the part of the Board to do anything in particular with the funds in question and the manner in which the funds are used is entirely within its discretion. He noted his intent was to provide the Board with options that would actually be possible so it had “freedom of movement” in deciding how to proceed and in a way that did not require the Agency to take extraordinary measures. DeVaney stated the matter should be addressed during the coming budget discussions.

Deccio moved to adopt Resolution 2025-06. McKinney seconded. Motion passed 3-1.

10. Executive Director’s Report

Thornsbury noted this would be the last meeting for Deccio and explained the process for convening the City Selection Committee to appoint a replacement has started. He added he hoped to empanel someone by the February meeting, but reminded the Board this process is dependent upon others with obligations of their own. Thornsbury expressed a desire to fill the position as quickly as possible while recognizing the scheduling challenges inherent in the process.

11. Other Business

DeVaney thanked Deccio for her service to the community, to the City of Yakima, and to the Agency Board. McKinney stated she enjoyed getting to know Deccio through their shared board service and wished her well. Deccio stated she had enjoyed serving on the board.

DeVaney reminded the Board that chair and vice chair elections are typically held at the January meeting and encouraged board members to consider serving in one of those positions before the next meeting.

12. Adjournment

McKinney moved to adjourn. Deccio seconded. Motion passed 4-0. DeVaney adjourned the meeting at 2:39 p.m.

Jon DeVaney, Chairperson Marc Thornsbury, Executive Director