Wenatchee No Longer Serving As Homeless Funds Contracting Agency With Chelan, Douglas Counties

The city of Wenatchee has served as the contracting agency for Chelan and Douglas counties' state allocated homeless funds, however the city is now opting out. The contracting agency role entails a city staff member reimbursed from the funding mechanism, then tasked with issuing all of the contracts for the funding.

"Sandra Van Osten has been our lead has announced her retirement," said Mayor Frank Kuntz. "We think about do we replace that person? There's been some conflict between the city and two county commissioners in terms of what programs should be funded, which shouldn't be funded."

According to Mayor Kuntz, he weighed whether or not a new person could be successful in the vacated position with the friction in decision making between the county and the city.

"I felt it was best that the city no longer be the contracting agency," said Mayor Kuntz. "We will be a member of the task force and make our feelings known, but ultimately that decision will now go to the county commissioners."

Wenatchee was selected as the agency due to the array of homeless services in the city.