Publications

Budget Suggestions has the latest information about things that might impact your city or county budget, including state shared revenue distributions, new legislation, economic trends, budget procedures, and more. Published July 2023.

This publication provides an in-depth review of annexation of territory by Washington cities and towns, including pros and cons, the consequences and impacts of annexation, and the various annexation methods. Published June 2020.

Discusses competitive bidding requirements for city and town purchases, services, and public works contracts. Includes competitive bidding exemptions, piggybacking, small public works rosters, bidding errors and irregularities, and more. Revised December 2020.

This publication, written by Steve Lundin and edited by the Washington State University Division of Governmental Studies and Services, is a comprehensive general reference and resource guide to the complex and varied systems of local governments in Washington State. Topics covered include the historical development of local governments, home rule, local government finance, and the local judiciary. Revised 2015.

Provides essential information for code city officials and incites their powers, duties, and alternatives that are available under the applicable forms of municipal government. Published June 2009.

Includes general guidance for procuring goods, services, and public works for conservation districts, as well as prevailing wage considerations unique to such districts. Revised September 2022.

This publication is intended to provide guidance to local government agencies in Washington State on contracting for services. It includes guidance on selecting architectural and engineering consultants under chapter 39.80 RCW and on contracting for personal and purchased services. Revised May 2021.

Discusses competitive bidding requirements for county purchases, services, and public works contracts. Includes competitive bidding exemptions, piggybacking, small public works rosters, bidding errors and irregularities, and more. Revised July 2018.

A brief introduction and overview of county government in Washington State and specifically the role of the county commissioners and county councilmembers within county government. It also covers the key legal doctrines, such as the Public Records Act and the Open Public Meetings Act, that county officials should be familiar with. Published April 2015.

This publication addresses issues relating to: qualifying and running for elective office in cities, towns, counties, and special districts; assuming office; vacancies in office; and appointments to fill vacancies. Revised January 2020.

This publication, created in partnership with the Department of Commerce, provides information on the 2023 legislation requiring jurisdictions to allow two accessory dwelling units per lot within urban growth areas, including policy options & examples. Published September 2023.

Created in partnership between the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) and MRSC, this publication provides real-world examples of tools and actions Washington cities have used in responding to the issues of homelessness and affordable housing, including articles on housing levies, tenant protections, and more. Revised June 2022.
 

Reviews the powers of initiative and referendum as they are exercised in cities and charter counties in Washington. It includes information on how to adopt these powers and which types of municipal activities are subject to these powers. Revised September 2022.

Describes how local officials can keep out of legal trouble, including information on roles and responsibilities, conflicts of interest, Open Public Meetings Act, Public Records Act, Appearance of Fairness Doctrine, use of public funds, and more. Revised January 2022.

This manual is intended to provide an overall perspective of detailed LID and RID procedures, to show the chronological order of responsibilities, to describe routine processes from initiation to the conclusion of financing, to reduce employee training time, and to identify potential problems and issues. Published October 2009.

This report has been prepared to assist Washington county, city, and town officials in the drafting and adoption of ordinances, resolutions, motions, and related devices. Revised September 2015.

Reference guide for mayors and city councilmembers. Covers city council meetings, resolving and preventing conflict, budget basics, parliamentary procedures, Open Public Meetings Act, Appearance of Fairness Doctrine, citizen participation, and more. Revised October 2021.

This publication covers in detail who is subject to the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), procedural requirements, executive sessions, exemptions, and penalties, and identifies relevant case law and attorney general opinions. Revised June 2023.

In 2008, the Washington State Legislature adopted legislation (codified primarily in Chapter 53.19 RCW) designed to improve public contracting for port districts. Published January 2009.

This guide, created in partnership with the State Auditor’s Office Center for Government Innovation, is intended to help Washington government agencies to identify, evaluate, and select records management technology solutions that are best matched with their needs, goals, and budgets. Offers key questions to consider before purchasing records management software, an overview of software options, including descriptions of selected software, and more! Published March 2019.

This publication provides a basic outline of the Public Records Act (PRA) and the procedures to follow when responding to PRA requests for documents. The primary exemptions and prohibitions are reviewed, and the appendices provide a wealth of additional information, including materials that are especially relevant for public records officers and legal counsel advising local governments. Because the legislature routinely updates the PRA statutes, and because the courts issue many decisions each year interpreting the statutes, MRSC updates this publication frequently. Revised March 2019.

Detailed publication provides helpful tips for public works contracting, focused primarily on the traditional design-bid-build model. Addresses ethics, competition, bid documents, contract award and administration, potential pitfalls, and more. Published June 2023.

Detailed and up-to-date information on most of the revenue sources available to cities and towns, including property taxes, sales taxes, B&O taxes, lodging taxes, REET, and much more. Revised December 2022.

Detailed and up-to-date information on most of the revenue sources available to counties, including property taxes, sales taxes, lodging taxes, REET, and much more. Revised December 2022.

This publication provides a comprehensive overview of all aspects of small works rosters including maintenance vs. public works, bid limits, shared rosters, sales tax issues, prevailing wages, and more. We’ve also included a number of practical resources, checklists, and quick tips, which offer at-a-glance information and get you answers fast. Revised July 2023.