Kittitas County Commissioners Strongly Criticize WSDOT for Refusing Help with Snow Removal

Kittitas County commissioners are strongly criticizing the state Department of Transportation for refusing help from county road crews after last week's record snowstorm.

Commissioners say the state refused the help because Kittitas County does not require COVID-19 vaccination for workers.

Commissioners claim WSDOT relied on ideology in refusing the help and failed to put differences aside and work together.

WSDOT responded that county workers could not be used because the county failed to meet the state vaccination requirement.

The agency also said it hired a contractor to assist with snow removal, and noted the county did not have the proper equipment to work on the project.

WSDOT stated that Kittitas County’s large snow blower truck would be too big for the project to clear SR 903 through town of Ronald because of houses and vehicles nearby.

The commission says WSDOT dishonored its inter-local agreement with the county, which was signed on November 30, 2021, and calls for county assistance when the state is short on staffing during an emergency.

The Department of Transportation estimated it lost about 400 workers who declined to get vaccinated or receive an exemption after the state imposed its vaccination requirement on state workers.

“During these times, we need to be able to put differences aside and work to support one another,” said Kittitas County Commissioner Laura Osiadacz in a statement from the commission. “It needs to be neighbors helping neighbors and lending a hand to get the work done.”

“It’s time for logic and leadership to overcome ideology and allow skilled equipment operators working alone in their cabs to get this job done, ” added Kittitas County Commissioner Cory Wright.