Employment Law Alert: Washington High Court Issues Important Decision on Rest Breaks and Overtime Pay

January 31, 2013 by Joe Levan
Category: Compensation

Are employees owed overtime pay if they work through rest periods that the employer is required by law to provide? The Washington Supreme Court’s decision in Wash. State Nurses Ass'n v. Sacred Heart Med. Ctr., 175 Wn.2d 822 (2012) addresses the issue.

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When One Budget Closes Another One Opens (But Where’s the Cash?)

January 29, 2013 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Budgets and Budgeting

It may seem too soon to be discussing budget questions on how to deal with your ending cash balance, or maybe too late; but, we’re still asked about the proper way to handle some of the uncertainty...

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What the State Auditor is Looking for... and Findings (Part 1 - Cities)

January 17, 2013 by Tracy Burrows
Category: Accounting

In reviewing city audit findings from 2010 to 2012, a few key issues stand out. This post summarizes those issues and provides resources to help cities avoid audit issues in the future.

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It Takes a Community (and Some Smart Investing) to Create the Shining City on a Hill

January 16, 2013 by Sue Enger
Category: Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management

To become that shining city (or county) on a hill, or to make that "Best-Places-to-Live" list, communities must successfully implement a vision. This...

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What Happens When the Parties to an Interlocal Agreement End Up in a Dispute?

January 15, 2013 by Jim Doherty
Category: Interlocal Cooperation

A partnership formed by an interlocal agreement has one similarity to a marriage relationship: when it’s formed everybody tends to be optimistic, and often the parties do not want to consider the possibility of conflicts or dissolution – but those drafting an interlocal agreement, and those responsible for administering the agreement, should discuss what could go wrong, and prepare...

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Improving Citizen Outreach and Engagement

January 9, 2013 by Byron Katsuyama
Category: Public Participation

I have had the pleasure over the last eight years of serving as a member of the city of Kirkland Planning Commission. At our annual retreat a couple weeks ago, we were discussing ways to improve citizen...

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What Can You Do at a Special Meeting?

January 3, 2013 by Bob Meinig
Category: Open Public Meetings Act

Special meetings of local governing bodies are called for a specific reason - to do what is stated in the notice of the special meeting. But can a governing body, say a city council or board of county commissioners, do anything else at a special meeting?

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Employee Satisfaction: What Goes Around Comes Around

January 2, 2013 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Administration and Management

Happy employees are goodwill ambassadors for your brand, whether it’s selling a product or delivering public service. In his book “Extreme Government Makeover," Ken Miller describes ...

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Land Use Planning and the Art of Planning Commission Maintenance

January 1, 2013 by Joseph W. Tovar
Category: Planning Advisor , Planning Commission

Perhaps the most instructive television ad ever was a memorable pitch by the FRAM auto parts company. The setting was a dimly lit auto garage, where two exasperated mechanics labored over a blown engine. One mechanic held up an oil filter, smiled at the camera and said "pay me now," then shrugged and...

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