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 2022.

A report to help local officials as they consider proposals to allow ADUs in their communities. Includes discussion of potential benefits, policy issues and options, as well as a discussion of common zoning regulations. Sample ordinance language is included. Published October 1995.

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.

Provides an overview of the appearance of fairness statute, ch. 42.36 RCW, including suggestions for assuring compliance with the law. Contains a section on commonly asked questions and a summary of cases. Published April 2011.

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.

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.

The primary focus of this publication is on local government citizen advisory boards, but the publication also includes a brief discussion of statutory boards that are administrative in nature. For simplification, the use of the term advisory board in this publication generally includes boards, commissions, committees, and task forces. Published August 2008.

The purposes of this publication are to describe the local government policy-making process, outline effective roles for local officials, and to provide practical tips to make the local policy-making process for satisfying and productive. Revised October 2017.

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.

This guidebook provides suggestions for guiding the development of master planned resorts, and small-scale recreational and tourist uses. These are among the new options available for broadening economic opportunities in rural areas, while respecting traditional rural character. Published May 2003.

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 is designed to assist residents of unincorporated communities in Washington to understand
the process by which a community can become incorporated as a city and to help a community decide
whether to incorporate. Revised March 2016.

Designed to assist newly incorporating cities with the process of establishing a functioning and viable municipal government. Revised March 2013.

Covers who is subject to Act, procedural requirements, executive sessions, exemptions, and penalties, and identifies relevant case law and attorney general opinions. Revised November 2016.

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 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. Published October 2014.

Special districts are local governments that enable citizens to obtain a variety of services not otherwise available from a city, town, or county. Published August 2003.