A How-To Guide to Sponsoring Summer Celebrations

June 14, 2018 by Flannary Collins
Category: Gift of Public Funds

Summertime, and the living is easy — except when you need to plan a special event but want to avoid making a gift of public funds. Legal Consultant Flannary Collins offers some tips on how to make sure all your special events are worry-free.

Read more | 0 comments

3 Steps to a More Meaningful Mission Statement

June 12, 2018 by Tracy Burrows
Category: Management

In this post, MRSC's Executive Director Tracy Burrows looks at the role of an organization's mission statement and an easy, 3-step process to creating mission statements that will engage employees long after the process is over.

Read more | 0 comments

Salary Increases Effective July 1 for Many Special Purpose District Officials

June 7, 2018 by Toni Nelson
Category: Compensation

The salaries for many elected officials with Washington's special purpose districts are adjusted for inflation every 5 years by the Office of Financial Management, with 2018 being one such year an adjustment takes place. Finance Consultant Toni Nelson looks at which special purpose districts and officials will be impacted. 

Read more | 0 comments

No Magic Homelessness Bullet

June 4, 2018 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Homelessness

Solutions for tackling homelessness need to be as varied as the people who experience it and the causes of homelessness itself. Policy Consultant Lynn Nordby looks at some innovative solutions, from 3-D printed houses to repurposed shipping containers. 

Read more | 2 comments

Encouraging Neighborhood-Friendly, Residential Infill Development

May 31, 2018 by Steve Butler
Category: Development Types

Residential infill development can be used as an approach for communities experiencing a moderate/high rate of residential development or those looking to create a diversity of housing options for all income levels. This blog post looks at options ranging from ADU's to cottage housing and more. 

Read more | 3 comments

EU’s General Data Protection Regulation: Does It Apply to Your Agency?

May 29, 2018 by Jim Doherty
Category: Public Records Act

The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation addresses data protection and privacy for EU citizens by giving residents more control over thier personal data and by simplifying the regulatory environment for international businesses.  In this post, Jim Doherty looks at whether or not it also applies to local governments. 

Read more | 1 comments

WVRA: To Change or Not to Change?

May 25, 2018 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Elections

The new Washington Voting Rights Act (WVRA) gives most municipalities the authority to change their election systems to remedy potential issues relating to equal voting opportunities for members of certain protected classes. This blog answers some common questions MRSC has gotten about the WRVA. 

Read more | 0 comments

Bitcoin Comes to Washington

May 22, 2018 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Licensing and Regulation , Utilities

What is cryptocurrency and why have public utility districts, cities, and counties across the state enacted ordinances and moratoriums impacting the businesses seeking to profit from "mining" cryptocurrency? This blog post looks at the complexities.  

Read more | 0 comments

Using MRSC’s Tax and Population Data

May 17, 2018 by Steve Hawley
Category: Economic, Population and Historical Tax Data

MRSC's Population and Tax Data page contains information on property taxes, sales tax distributions, and population from 2010 to present. This data can help you examine basic financial information and trends within your jurisdiction since 2010 or compare your jurisdiction to nearby or peer jurisdictions.

Read more | 0 comments

JLARC Unveils Public Records Reporting System

May 16, 2018 by Oskar Rey
Category: Public Records Act

MRSC has received many questions about JLARC public records reporting requirements as modified by the 2017 bill ESHB 1594. This blog post looks at the reporting requirements for local governments and JLARC's newly unveiled reporting system.

Read more | 0 comments

A Grab Bag of Ask MRSC Questions

May 10, 2018 by Paul Sullivan
Category: Legislative Body

This blog post offers several examples of questions MRSC's legal and policy experts get from local government staff and elected officials. 

Read more | 1 comments

SEC Enforcement in the Municipal Securities Market

May 7, 2018 by Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, P.C.
Category: Debt

Over the last few years, the Federal Securities and Exchange Commission has significantly stepped up its enforcement activity in the municipal bond market. This blog post looks at that trend.

Read more | 0 comments

Alternative Fuel Requirement Deadline Fast Approaching

May 3, 2018 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Energy Resources and Conservation

Effective June 1, 2018, all local government subdivisions are required to satisfy 100% of their fuel usage for operating publicly owned vessels, vehicles, and construction equipment from electricity or biofuel. This blog post looks at the legislation, the requirements, and options for local governments. 

Read more | 0 comments

New Limits on Use of Criminal Background Checks During the Hiring Process

May 1, 2018 by Summit Law Labor and Employment Group
Category: Selection and Recruitment , HR Advisor

Under the new Washington Fair Chance Act, an employer may only ask about a person’s arrest or conviction history once the employer has made the initial determination that the applicant is qualified.

Read more | 0 comments

New Bills Addressing Gender Discrimination and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

April 25, 2018 by Flannary Collins
Category: Personnel Policies

The Washington State Legislature passed several bills in the 2017-2018 legislative session related to gender equality and sexual harassment that local governments should be aware of.

Read more | 0 comments

Conestoga Huts Offer More Options for Housing the Homeless

April 23, 2018 by Subir Mukerjee
Category: Homelessness

A housing for the homeless program in Eugene using Conestoga Hut program is immensely popular with long waiting lists. Learn more about this program and the city regulations that have allowed it to flourish.

Read more | 2 comments

Is Your City Ready for the New Business Licensing Requirements?

April 17, 2018 by Toni Nelson
Category: Revenues , Licensing and Regulation

EHB 2005, which was passed last year, is intended to simplify the administration of municipal general business licenses for the applicant. This post looks at the actions cities and towns must take to comply.

Read more | 2 comments

New Legislation Targets E-Bikes

April 16, 2018 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Cycling and Walking

As Seattle prepares to make its dockless bike share program permanent, new legislation recently signed by Gov. Jay Inslee set statewide standards and regulations for riding using electric assist bikes (e-bikes).

Read more | 0 comments

Salaries for Elected Officials

April 12, 2018 by Paul Sullivan
Category: Administrative and Elected Officials , Administrative and Elected Officials-County

This blog discusses how salaries for elected officials are set, how they can be changed, and whether an official can request not to be paid.

Read more | 0 comments

Where Do Our Sales Taxes Go?

April 9, 2018 by Steve Hawley
Category: Revenues

Have you ever wondered exactly where local sales taxes go or why one jurisdiction has higher (or lower) sales taxes than another?  A new tool from MRSC can help provide some answers.

Read more | 0 comments