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MRSC Insight Blog

Recent Posts

The Lasting Impacts of Discriminatory Restrictive Covenants

April 12, 2021 by Oskar Rey
Category: Inclusive Communities

This blog looks at discriminatory restrictive covenants in county real property records and how property owners may remove or "strike" them from the record.

Disaster Zone: Emergency Operations Center Facilities

April 9, 2021 by Eric Holdeman
Category: Emergency Management

This blog reviews what an Emergency Operations Center should include to allow staff to function effectively during an emergency.

Roles and Responsibilities: Questions and Answers

April 5, 2021 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Administrative and Elected Officials , Administrative and Elected Officials-County

This blog explores frequently asked questions related to roles and responsibilities of elected officials versus local government staff.

Emerging Issues Roundup: Post-Pandemic Prognostications

April 1, 2021 by Byron Katsuyama
Category: Termination and Retirement , Information Technology , Cybersecurity

This blog focuses on three issues that may become more prominent for local governments as we approach the end of the COVID-19 pandemic: cybersecurity concerns, maintaining digital services, and retiring boomers.

The Status of Drug Possession in Washington State

March 29, 2021 by Flannary Collins
Category: Court Decisions and AGO Opinions , Courts and Criminal Justice System

This blog provides an overview of the recent state supreme court decision in State v. Blake, which found that Washington’s strict liability drug possession statute was unconstitutional.

COVID-19 and Local Governments: Where Things Stand as of March 22, 2021

March 22, 2021 by Jill Dvorkin
Category: Open Public Meetings Act , Utilities - Billing and Collection , COVID-19

This blog details several updates and links to new guidance from Governor Jay Inslee's office regarding the state's move into Phase 3 of the Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery plan.

Countering Racial Bias and Harassment Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

March 22, 2021 by Byron Katsuyama
Category: Inclusive Communities , COVID-19

This blog post looks at how local governments can counter racial bias and harassment that's arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Troublesome Behavior: Defending Against Harassment of Public Officials and Employees

March 18, 2021 by Sarah Doar
Category: Personnel Policies , Administrative and Elected Officials , Administrative and Elected Officials-County

This blog explores strategies for dealing with members of the public who cross the line into harassing elected officials or local government staff.

American Rescue Plan Provides More Relief to Local Governments

March 17, 2021 by Eric Lowell
Category: Revenues , COVID-19

The American Rescue Plan Act ("ARP" or "ARPA") provides significant new funds for local governments, as well as an optional expansion of FFCRA leave. While we don't yet know all the logistics, this blog post provides a preliminary overview.

Disaster Zone: Lessons from Texas and Lebanon

March 15, 2021 by Eric Holdeman
Category: Emergency Management

This blog looks at the 2021 winter storm in Texas and the 2020 Beirut port explosion and asks how lessons learned from each might apply to earthquake preparedness in Washington.

Vacancies in Elected Office – Questions and Answers (Part 2)

March 11, 2021 by Steve Gross
Category: Legislative Body

This two-part blog series looks at vacancies of elected office. Part Two covers questions related to filling a vacant elected position.

Vacancies in Elected Office – Questions and Answers (Part 1)

March 8, 2021 by Steve Gross
Category: Legislative Body

This two-part blog series looks at vacancies of elected office. Part One covers questions related to how (and when) an elected position becomes vacant.

Meeting the Challenge of Washington’s New Clean Buildings Standard

March 4, 2021 by Bonnie Frye Hemphill
Category: Climate Change , Energy Resources and Conservation , Design

This blog post will provide an overview of the New Clean Building Standard and how it applies to your publicly owned buildings.

New Federal Funding for Rent and Utility Assistance

March 1, 2021 by Eric Lowell
Category: Revenues , COVID-19

This blog provides an overview of new funding available through the Coronavirus Response Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) to help with rent and utility assistance for any households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Annual Financial Report for 2020

February 25, 2021 by Eric Lowell
Category: Financial Reporting

This blog post reviews a few of the major updates to the Annual Financial Report for reporting year 2020.

A Quick Guide to Utility Account Overcharges, Undercharges, and the Statute of Limitations

February 22, 2021 by Oskar Rey
Category: Utilities - Billing and Collection

This blog explores the role of the statute of limitations in connection with utility billing, including undercharges and overcharges.

Who’s the Boss? Separation of Powers in Local Government

February 18, 2021 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Administrative and Elected Officials

This blog post discusses the importance of the roles and responsibilities of elected and appointed officials working together in local governments.

Local Government Contracting and Agreements for Non-Public Works Projects

February 16, 2021 by Flannary Collins
Category: Interlocal Cooperation

This blog explores the options available for local government contracting and agreements related to non-public woks projects.

Disaster Zone: The Next Phase of the Pandemic

February 11, 2021 by Eric Holdeman
Category: Emergency Management , COVID-19

This blog post looks at what might happen with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic over the next few months.

Incorporating Bicycles into Your Municipal Code

February 9, 2021 by MRSC Insight
Category: Cycling and Walking

This blog explores some potential “gaps” that local governments may have in their code provisions addressing bicycles, including helmet use, bicycle lanes and access, and how to regulate electric-assist bicycles.