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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for April 2017

Which Financial Policies Work Best? 'It Depends.'

April 26, 2017  by  Mike Bailey
Category:  Financial Management ,  Fund Balance and Reserves

What is the right level of fund balance for local government? For many reasons, "It depends" is the best place to start when answering that question. 

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Political Speech and Lobbying by Local Government Employees: What are the Rules of Engagement?

April 17, 2017  by  Oskar Rey
Category:  County Officials ,  City and Town Officials ,  Elected and Appointed Officials

Wherever you fall on the political spectrum, it is important for government employees to know the rules of engagement. While everyone has First Amendment rights, there are certain restrictions on speech and lobbying that apply to employees of local public agencies. 

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WATVs (Wheeled All-Terrain Vehicles) Issues and Reminders

April 12, 2017  by  Jim Doherty
Category:  Traffic Regulation and Enforcement

The 2013 legislature made major changes to the authority of riders to use some off-road vehicles on public roads. Since then WATVs have been increasingly used on public roads in the State of Washington. 

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Visualizing Compatible Density

April 10, 2017  by  Bob Bengford
Category:  Guest Author ,  Design

Density is a controversial subject. This post demonstrates that streetscapes, vehicular-access elements, and building design are all components that make developments appear less dense, more livable, and attractive. 

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Succession Planning: Navigating the Incoming Wave

April 3, 2017  by  Lynn Nordby
Category:  Administration and Management

The accelerating retirement of public sector workers born between 1946-64 is predicted to hit like a wave. This post looks as what some local governments in Washington are doing to plan for the expected leadership turnover. 

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New AGO Opinion Concludes the OPMA Allows a Governing Body to Meet via Telephone or Video Conference

April 3, 2017  by  Flannary Collins
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Open Public Meetings Act

​On March 21, 2017, the Washington State Attorney General’s Office (AGO) issued a new opinion on the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), opining on whether a governing body can conduct a public meeting by telephone (or video) conference call.

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