MRSC Insight Blog

Posts for June 2015

Emerging Issue Update: Police Body Cameras

June 29, 2015 by Byron Katsuyama
Category: Law Enforcement

A roundup of the latest news and information, including a few sample policies, we have been gathering on the emerging issue of body-worn cameras.

Pre-Budgeting: Three Things to Do Before Budget Season Begins

June 26, 2015 by Toni Nelson
Category: Budgets and Budgeting

With a little breathing room during the summer, here's recommendations for three things to do before budget season comes in at full force.

US Supreme Court Issues Significant Sign Code Decision

June 24, 2015 by Maurice King
Category: Court Decisions and AGO Opinions , Sign Control

On June 18, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that an Arizona town’s sign code placed unconstitutional content-based restrictions on speech, in violation of the First Amendment. The court’s decision in Reed v, Town of Gilbert almost certainly places many sign ordinances throughout the state, and the country, on questionable legal footing.

Building the Budget around the Community it Serves

June 23, 2015 by Mike Bailey
Category: Budgets and Budgeting

Redmond Finance Director Mike Bailey explains how Redmond shifted its budgeting process to better focus on citizen priorities.

Strategies for Managing Social Media Records from the State Archives

June 18, 2015 by Josh Mahar
Category: Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool for engagement, but often a nightmare for public records officers. We interviewed Leslie Koziara Turner with the State Archives to see what strategies local governments can use to manage their social media records.

New Legislation Subjects City Assumption of Water-Sewer District to Possible Referendum

June 16, 2015 by Bob Meinig
Category: Water-Sewer Districts

Under chapter 35.13A RCW, a city council may, by resolution or ordinance, assume jurisdiction of (basically, take over) all or part of a water-sewer district, with the extent of that assumption of jurisdiction based on how much of the area or assessed value of the district lies within the city.

Is Leadership Overrated?

June 11, 2015 by Lynn Nordby
Category: Leadership

Sometimes true leadership means being a good follower.

New Amendments to the Public Records Act

June 10, 2015 by Paul Sullivan
Category: Public Records Act

The 2015 Legislature passed and the Governor signed five bills amending the Public Records Act (PRA) that affect local government public records procedures.

Sick Leave Benefits for Local Government Employees, Part 3: Some Recommendations

June 9, 2015 by Cabot Dow
Category: Guest Author , Leave Policies

MRSC HR Advisor Cabot Dow continues his series on sick leave with some policy recommendations for reducing abuse of sick leave.

Legislature Tweaks Contracting Statutes

June 8, 2015 by John W. Carpita, PE
Category: Purchasing and Contracting

An overview of the important changes to contracting statutes from the 2015 legislative session that affect local governments.

PRA Employment Records Exemption Applies to Former Employees

June 3, 2015 by Joe Levan
Category: Public Records Act

What if someone makes a PRA request for records related to a former employee? Do these exemptions still apply? In a recent decision, the Washington State Court of Appeals held that these exemptions apply not only to current employees, but also to former employees.

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