MRSC Insight Blog

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Social Media Policy Questions for Local Governments to Answer

April 12, 2023 by Sarah Doar
Category: Social Media

Establishing effective social media policies requires your agency consider a number of questions, from what is the communications-related goal of using these tools to how the agency might address personal use of social media sites by employees and elected officials.

Two gold wedding rings on a stack of US $100 dollar bills

Conflict of Interest and the Spouse

April 11, 2023 by MRSC Insight
Category: Ethics and Conflicts of Interest

Contractual situations involving spouses or partners of local government officials can present complications that are not immediately apparent, and so elected officials and governing bodies should tread carefully.

The ladder of a toy firetruck leans against a tall stack of coins

Multi-Year Levy Lid Lifts: A Tool for Coping with Inflation?

April 5, 2023 by Steve Hawley
Category: Property Taxes

Inflation is at a 40-year high, but property tax revenues are limited to a 1% increase each year. Multi-year levy lid lifts can help local governments cope with these inflationary pressures — but will voters approve them? Let’s look at the data.

Emergency Powers in Washington State, Post COVID-19

April 3, 2023 by Steve Gross
Category: COVID-19 , Emergency Management

During the COVID-19 pandemic local governments operated under a series of emergency orders, some of which drew legal challenges. As these proclamations have ended, now is a good time to look at what happened to the challenges, and how (or if) they affected emergency powers.

Stack of wooden blocks with green images of net-zero and other climate actions

Implementation Strategies for Climate Action and Sustainability Plans, Part 1

March 29, 2023 by Jill Dvorkin
Category: Climate Change

Local governments have been using various strategies to help implement their climate action and sustainability plans, including working with community partners, tracking progress on climate-related goals, and engaging residents through educational programs and incentives.

View of a little public park with trees and greenery along Seattle's city hall exterior

For More Equitable and Livable Cities, Consider Trees

March 27, 2023 by Lisa Pool
Category: Climate Change , Forests and Trees , Inclusive Communities

As cities and other urban areas in Washington State continue to grow and change, an urban forestry management plan can provide a coordinated, long-term vision for managing the urban tree canopy to ensure the continued livability of local communities.

Impact Fees — Local Government Do’s and Don’ts

March 22, 2023 by Steve Butler
Category: Impact Fees

Impact fees can be used by a local government to help pay for infrastructure costs caused by new development, but there are both complexities and legal requirements an agency should consider before establishing an impact fees program.

Protecting Your Local Brand: Federal, State, and Local Strategies

March 20, 2023 by Michael Incorvaia
Category: Guest Author , Strategies and Programs , Tourism

Local governments wishing to trademark a logo or seal may find an uphill battle in getting federal protection, but other options exist for protecting local brands.

An EMS personnel helping an older resident with medication in a home-based setting

Fire Departments Expand Services to Reach 911 Frequent Callers

March 15, 2023 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Emergency Medical Services

With a goal of reducing non-emergency calls to 911 and limiting costly, unnecessary trips to the emergency room, several fire departments in Washington State have begun mobile health programs that provide coordinated follow-up care to patients after a 911 response has occurred.

Several emergency vehicles are parked on a neighborhood street

A Duty to All is a Duty to No One: Understanding the Public Duty Doctrine

March 13, 2023 by Oskar Rey
Category: Court Decisions and AGO Opinions

In Norg v. City of Seattle, the Washington Supreme Court issued a decision that has a major impact on the public duty doctrine, and by extension, government tort liability.

A magician working magic with a hat and wand

Can an Expired Contract Come Back to Life?

March 8, 2023 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting

When a contract expires, is it a good idea to create an amendment that will bring the contract back to life? A look at the pros and cons.

A close up of a person working on a laptop to retrieve files while sitting in a sunbeam

It’s Sunshine Week Somewhere

March 6, 2023 by Flannary Collins
Category: Open Public Meetings Act , Public Records Act

Even during the gloomy winter months, we can all applaud Sunshine Week, which celebrates open government.

A diverse group of politicians sitting at a dais and speaking to the press

Municipal Elections – Running for Office

March 1, 2023 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Elections

Many local elections will take place this year, including half of councilmember positions in towns and cities, appointed mayors, and many board positions with special purpose districts. Fortunately, there are a number of resources available for new and returning candidates.

A close up of a person reviewing financial data

Changes for 2022 Annual Reporting for Cash Basis Entities

February 27, 2023 by Eric Lowell
Category: Financial Reporting

The addition of a few new notes as well as the removal of others are just a few of the changes local governments will encounter when they begin the annual financial report filing process. The deadline for filing is May 30, 2023, for both cash basis and GAAP entities.

Integrating Best Available Science: New Tools for Land Use Planning & Emergency Management

February 22, 2023 by Tricia Sears
Category: Guest Author , Climate Change , Emergency Management

The state's Washington Geological Survey is offering new and updated resources to help local governments integrate the best available science into their land use planning and emergency management efforts.

A woman is upset by what she has just read on her computer

Private Lives of Public Employees: The PRA Implications of Working for the Government

February 21, 2023 by Sarah Doar
Category: Public Records Act

New public employees are often surprised by what is subject to public disclosure under Washington’s Public Records Act and should consider the possibility that their private communications on digital platforms, like email and social media, may become very public.

Shows a fleet of mid-sized electric vehicles being charged at a public charging station

Tips for Transitioning Fleet Vehicles to Electric

February 15, 2023 by Tracy Burrows
Category: Climate Change , Energy Resources and Conservation

Electric vehicle (EV) fleets can help an agency save money and meet greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, but transitioning fleets to EVs will be a major undertaking. It helps to start small and to pair the program with the build out of local EV charging infrastructure.

A male conference attendee choosing dessert from a table

But What About Me? Ethics for Local Public Employees

February 13, 2023 by Steve Gross
Category: Ethics and Conflicts of Interest

While state law addresses ethics for some kinds of municipal officers, these and other laws help all employees understand how to conduct day-to-day business while avoiding conflicts of interest.

A man is excited to have received a gift card

Safely Using Incentives in Public Engagement Activities

February 8, 2023 by Eric Lowell
Category: Gift of Public Funds , Inclusive Communities , Federal Funding

Can gift cards be given as an incentive for completing a local government survey? Can stipends be provided to volunteers participating in local government projects or advisory boards? With proper procedures in place, incentives can be a way to boost community participation.

Pop Quiz: Paid Family Medical Leave and the Family Medical Leave Act

February 6, 2023 by Jill Dvorkin
Category: Leave Policies

Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) and the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provide extended leave, job protection, and other benefits for qualified employees, but the interplay between the two programs can be confusing. Test your knowledge.

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