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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for April 2024

New Guidance for Obligating Remaining ARPA Funds

April 29, 2024  by  Eric Lowell
Category:  Federal Funding

Cities, towns, and counties must obligate their State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) by the end of the year, with limited exceptions. But what does it mean to “obligate” these funds?

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Introducing Harry Boesche, MRSC Legal Consultant

April 25, 2024  by  Harry Boesche
Category:  MRSC News and Updates

Meet MRSC's newest team member and legal consultant, Harry Boesche, formerly deputy/acting city attorney with the City of Auburn.

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Two people in a meeting play with cell phones instead of paying attention to the meeting

Advice for Taking Electronic Gadgets to Meetings: Use Them, Don’t Abuse Them!

April 22, 2024  by  Steve Gross
Category:  Open Public Meetings Act ,  Public Records Act ,  Legislative Body

Using electronic devices during meetings can help you manage the meeting efficiently and reduce paperwork, but they also have the potential to create additional public records and their use could violate Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act.

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A sign reading 'meeting in progress'

Special Meetings: Answering Some Frequently Asked Questions

April 17, 2024  by  Jill Dvorkin
Category:  Open Public Meetings Act ,  Legislative Body

What makes a special meeting of a governing body different from a regular meeting? Must public comment be allowed during a special meeting? These are just a few of many questions MRSC receives annually about special meetings. 

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MRSC Executive Director Tracy Burrows Is Retiring Oct. 31

April 15, 2024  by  MRSC Insight
Category:  MRSC News and Updates

MRSC’s board of directors extends its deepest gratitude to Tracy for her 13 years of outstanding leadership and dedicated service to MRSC. The board has initiated the search for a new executive director to build upon her legacy and ensure a seamless and successful transition.

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Using "Why" to Keep Your Policies and Procedures Relevant

April 9, 2024  by  Cheryl Grant
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting ,  Finance Policies ,  Operating Policies ,  Personnel Policies

Policies and procedures can become outdated, irrelevant, or incorrect. By asking "why," local government staff and elected officials can help keep policies relevant through regular cycles of review and updating.  

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A surprised woman reads comments by critics on social media

U.S. Supreme Court Changes Law on Government First Amendment Liability for Social Media Activities

April 8, 2024  by  Harry Boesche
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Social Media

The recent ruling in Lindke v. Freed changes Washington law regarding government First Amendment liability in social media use and has important implications for local government officials and their agencies.

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Kids at Vancouver's Esther Short Park

The Importance of Public Space to Downtown Revitalization

April 3, 2024  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Design ,  Parks and Recreation Facilities ,  Downtown Revitalization Series

When looking to revitalize their downtowns, cities and towns can focus on innovative strategies to draw visitors in, such as adding attractive, safe, and enjoyable parks, plazas, and open spaces, or offering programming/recreational activities in existing public spaces.

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