Answers to Common Election Season Questions

July 26, 2018 by Paul Sullivan
Category: Elections

This blog post addresses election-related questions MRSC consultants often field from elected officials and local government employees — such as use of public facilities for political campaigns — and offers additional resources. 

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2019 Budget Suggestions is Here – 75th Anniversary Edition!

July 25, 2018 by Toni Nelson
Category: Budgets and Budgeting

Our annual Budget Suggestions publication is here! Read about new legislation and proposed initiatives, core revenues and budget hearings, per capita shared revenue distributions, and more! Plus, to commemorate our 75th anniversary edition, take a look back in time at the original 1944 Budget Suggestions.

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Do We Have to Obey the Mayor?

July 23, 2018 by Ann G. Macfarlane
Category: Legislative Body , Council-Commission Advisor

Under Robert's Rules of Order and common parliamentary law the presiding officer of a governing body has certain rights — but so too do councilmembers, county commissioners, and directors of special districts — and no one has the authority to dominate the group.

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The Janus SCOTUS Decision: More Questions Than Answers

July 19, 2018 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Court Decisions and AGO Opinions , Collective Bargaining

MRSC Legal Consultant Linda Gallagher looks at the recent US Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME and provides some advice to local govenments in Washington State to ensure they are operating in compliance with the new requirements.

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Cities and Towns Must Update General Business License Ordinances ASAP!

July 16, 2018 by Toni Nelson
Category: Business Licenses and Taxes

The final model business license ordinance has been released. All current BLS partner cities must adopt its provisions by October 17, and all other cities and towns with general business license requirements must adopt the model provisions by January 1.

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Action Outside a Public Meeting, What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

July 13, 2018 by Paul Sullivan
Category: Open Public Meetings Act

This blog reviews some of the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and what can go wrong if those requirements are not met (Hint:a lot). 

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Longtime Legal Staff Jim Doherty Retires from MRSC after 25 Years

July 11, 2018 by Jim Doherty
Category:

Current Legal Manager and longtime MRSC staffmember, Jim Doherty, is retiring after providing guidance to local governments for 25 years. 

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Lynn Nordby Says Goodbye to MRSC

July 6, 2018 by Lynn Nordby
Category:

Public Policy and Management Consultant Lynn Nordby will be retiring from MRSC this month. 

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The Strong Roots of Community

July 5, 2018 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Inclusive Communities

Real leadership is shown when someone can build a narrative of shared responsibility and values, argues Public Policy and Management Consultant Lynn Nordby.

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Safe, Convenient Drug Disposal Coming Soon to Your Neighborhood

July 2, 2018 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Human, Health and Community Services

ESHB 1047, or the Secure Drug Take-Back Act will bring a system of secure drug drop sites in every city and town across Washington for collection of unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medicines by 2020. 

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Agency Size Can Influence PRA Penalties

July 2, 2018 by Foster Pepper
Category: Open Government Advisor , Public Records Act

The Washington Court of Appeals recently ruled that the Superior Court is permitted to consider a municipality's size when setting penalties under the Public Records Act (PRA).

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