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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for August 2024

A close up of a person reviewing financial data

Need a Crash Course in Government Finance? Our Finance Bootcamp Is What You've Been Waiting For

August 28, 2024  by  Cheryl Grant
Category:  MRSC News and Updates ,  Accounting ,  Budgets and Budgeting ,  Finance Policies ,  Financial Reporting

MRSC’s new Municipal Finance Bootcamp is a five-day crash course for professionals new to government finance. It covers topics like BARS, payroll, budgeting, and much more.

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A bee on a yellow daisy

Save the Bees: How Local Governments Can Protect Pollinator Habitat

August 27, 2024  by  Katie Buckley
Category:  Guest Author ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  Land Use Administration ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Pollinators are a critical component of a healthy ecosystem, impacting food security, the abundance of local flora, and agricultural earnings. Local governments can play a role in protecting critical habitat for pollinators with innovative strategies and smart land use policies. 

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Six Housing and Planning Bills that Help Washington Communities Confront the Housing Crisis

August 21, 2024  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Parking ,  Housing ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Contains summaries of six bills related to co-living, parking standards, building conversions, middle housing, residential building and energy codes, and manufactured housing  passed during the most recent short Washington State legislative session.

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Public Records Officers, Check Your Email – JLARC Needs Your Help!

August 19, 2024  by  Sarah Doar
Category:  Public Records Act

The Joint Legislative and Research Committee (JLARC) is requesting feedback from Public Records Officers (PROs) on a new exemption to the Public Records Act (PRA) by September 3, 2024. 

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A person putting a ballot into a ballot box

Managing Election-Related Issues

August 14, 2024  by  MRSC Insight
Category:  Elections and Voting

Challenges can arise for a local government during an election season, including those involving candidates, keeping election workers safe, keeping ballot boxes accessible and secure, and regulating temporary signage. 

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Building Trust: Effective Tools for Local Government

August 12, 2024  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Leadership and Management ,  Inclusive Communities ,  Public Participation

Building trust with community members can be accomplished in many ways, and Washington local governments have implemented innovative strategies to increase transparency, build relationships with diverse communities, and demonstrate responsiveness to community needs. 

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Two people look on while a third presents an architectural design

Impending Deadline of January 1 to Address SB 5290’s New Development Timelines

August 7, 2024  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Land Use Administration ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Beginning in 2025, GMA-planning counties and cities must follow new state-based timelines for issuing a final decision on applications for land use review. However, localities can — up to end of this year — adjust their timelines for review (and bypass the state ones).

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An employee and two supervisors during an employee disciplinary meeting

Understanding Loudermill Rights: Balancing Due Process in Employee Discipline and Best Practices

August 5, 2024  by  Evan Chinn ,  Chloe Lee
Category:  Guest Author ,  Termination and Retirement

Loudermill rights protect the rights of public sector employees facing disciplinary actions. Employers must hold a pre-disciplinary hearing, which safeguards the right of the employee in question and ensures transparency, accountability, and fairness in employment decisions.

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