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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for January 2020

Disaster Zone: Unreinforced Masonry Buildings

Disaster Zone: Unreinforced Masonry Buildings

January 31, 2020  by  Eric Holdeman
Category:  Guest Author ,  Emergency Management

This blog post looks at the dangers of unreinforced masonry buildings. 

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Are Your Public Meetings Truly “Open” to the Public?

Are Your Public Meetings Truly “Open” to the Public?

January 27, 2020  by  Sarah Doar
Category:  Open Public Meetings Act ,  Public Participation

This blog post considers how local governments could make public meetings even more accessible to the public. 

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​The Annual Financial Report for 2019

​The Annual Financial Report for 2019

January 23, 2020  by  Toni Nelson
Category:  Financial Reporting

This blog post highlights changes to the State Auditor’s Office Annual Financial Report for ‘cash-basis’ accounting and reporting entities.

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Finding Success in Using Community Resources to Deliver Value as a Newly Elected Official

Finding Success in Using Community Resources to Deliver Value as a Newly Elected Official

January 16, 2020  by  Mike Bailey
Category:  Administrative and Elected Officials

This blog article looks at the role of an elected official as policymaker, one who brings value to the community by overseeing use of its financial resources. 

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Legal Consultant Paul Sullivan Retires

Legal Consultant Paul Sullivan Retires

January 14, 2020  by  Paul Sullivan
Category:  MRSC News and Updates

Legal Consultant Paul Sullivan is retiring after more than 30 years at MRSC. 

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Worker reading a file stands in front of stacked file boxes.

Understanding When It’s Over: Administrative Procedures and the PRA

January 13, 2020  by  Oskar Rey
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Public Records Act

This blog post summarizes Kilduff v. San Juan County and suggests best practices for agency administrative procedures concerning public records searches. 

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Elected Officials Guide — What’s Personal and What’s Public?

Elected Officials Guide — What’s Personal and What’s Public?

January 9, 2020  by  Laura Crandall
Category:  Administrative and Elected Officials ,  Open Public Meetings Act ,  Public Records Act

This blog covers questions about the use of social media and cell phones with regards to privacy and public records and focuses on their use from the perspective of an elected official.

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Court Upholds King County Ordinance Requiring Franchise Compensation for Use of Right-of-Way

Court Upholds King County Ordinance Requiring Franchise Compensation for Use of Right-of-Way

January 7, 2020  by  Jill Dvorkin
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Utilities ,  Water Utilities

Can a county charge a fee for allowing a utility to use the county’s right-of-way for placement of utility infrastructure? The Washington Supreme Court ruled recently that it can. 

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MRSC Launches New Website Search

MRSC Launches New Website Search

January 6, 2020  by  Tracy Burrows
Category:  MRSC News and Updates

We've updated our website search system. The new features make it easier to find information, providing more relevant results and allowing you to quickly narrow your search. 

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Yim I and Yim II Clarify Washington Regulatory Takings and Substantive Due Process Law

Yim I and Yim II Clarify Washington Regulatory Takings and Substantive Due Process Law

January 2, 2020  by  Roger Wynne
Category:  Guest Author ,  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Land Use Administration

This blog post addresses Yim I and Yim II,  two recent Washington Supreme Court rulings that clarify the state's regulatory takings and substantive due process jurisprudence.

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