skip navigation

Have a Research Question?

Ask MRSC

Research Tools

Ask MRSC

Eligible government agencies can use our free one-on-one inquiry service.

With one call or click you can get a personalized answer from one of our trusted attorneys, policy consultants, or finance experts!

Ask MRSC

Our Tools

Ask MRSC Archives

City & County Websites Search

City & Town Profiles

County Profiles

Local Ballot Measure Database

Sample Document Library

Legal Research

City Codes

County Codes

Find Your Contracting Requirements

RCW, WAC, and Court Decisions

Utility Liens and Shut-offs
Explore Topics

Popular Topics

Public Records Act

Open Public Meetings Act

Purchasing and Contracting

Budgeting

Recent Court Decisions

Growth Management Act

All Topics

Economic Development

Environment

Finance

Governance

Legal

Management

Parks and Recreation

Personnel

Planning

Public Safety

Public Works and Utilities

Transportation
Stay Informed

Recent Blog Posts

You’ve Been Elected: Now What?
November 29 2023

Don’t Get into Back-and-Forth Exchanges During Public Comment
November 27 2023

Boosting Retention Among Gen Z and Millennials in the Local Government Workforce
November 14 2023

VIEW MORE BLOG POSTS

Information You Need

MRSC E-Newsletters

MRSC Insight Blog

MRSC Print Newsletter

Local Governments In The News

Landlord/Seller Disclosure Requirements
Training

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Trainings – Attend our live webinars, virtual workshops, and in-person trainings to learn about key local government issues!

Digging Into Public Works – In-person regional forums and training resources for public works staff and local contractors

On-Demand

On-Demand Webinars – Watch pre-recorded versions of our recent webinars, at your own convenience.

PRA/OPMA E-Learning Courses – Free video courses for city/town elected officials on the Public Records Act (PRA) and Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA).
Publications

View/Download Publications

2024 Budget Suggestions

Annexation by Cities and Towns

City Bidding Book

Contracting for Services

County Bidding Book

County Commissioner Guide

Getting Into Office

Guidance for Accessory Dwelling Units

Homelessness and Housing Toolkit for Cities

Knowing the Territory

Local Ordinances

Mayor & Councilmember Handbook

Open Public Meetings Act

Public Records Act

Revenue Guide for Cities

Revenue Guide for Counties

VIEW MORE PUBLICATIONS
About Us

What We Do

About MRSC – Learn about MRSC's mission and history.

MRSC Services – Learn more about the many services MRSC provides for local government staff and officials.

Related Services

MRSC Rosters (mrscrosters.org) – Connect with businesses for small public works contracts, purchases, and service or consultant contracts.

Who We Are

Staff Directory – Learn more about our staff members or email them directly.

Join Our Team – See our current job opportunities and learn about our guiding values and benefits.

Board of Directors – See our current board membership.

Contact Us – Send us your comments, submit media requests, let us know about broken links, and more.

Share this:

MRSC Insight Blog

Posts for June 2021

Changing Your Zoning Code to Accommodate Housing and Shelters for the Homeless

Changing Your Zoning Code to Accommodate Housing and Shelters for the Homeless

June 29, 2021 by Steve Butler
Category: Development Regulations and Zoning , Homelessness , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog provides and overview and guidance regarding E2SHB 1220, which encourages local governments to take active steps to accommodate transitional housing, emergency shelters, and similar facilities via zoning and regulatory updates.

MRSC Welcomes New Public Policy Consultant Lisa Pool

MRSC Welcomes New Public Policy Consultant Lisa Pool

June 24, 2021 by Lisa Pool
Category: MRSC News and Updates

Formerly a senior planner with the City of Bellingham, Lisa Pool has joined MRSC as the new Public Policy Consultant.

Holding Two Public Offices: The Doctrine of Incompatible Offices

Holding Two Public Offices: The Doctrine of Incompatible Offices

June 21, 2021 by MRSC Insight
Category: Incompatible Offices

This blog looks at how to determine if a person can hold two public offices simultaneously.

Historic Bill Focuses on Wildfire Prevention, Forest Reclamation

Historic Bill Focuses on Wildfire Prevention, Forest Reclamation

June 17, 2021 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Emergency Management , Forests and Trees , Fire Protection , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog looks at 2SHB 1168, which will increase spending on wildland fire prevention and response activities by $125 million over the next two years and up to $328 million by 2027.

Recent Developments in Washington Public Records — June 2021

Recent Developments in Washington Public Records — June 2021

June 14, 2021 by Sarah Doar
Category: Court Decisions and AGO Opinions , Public Records Act , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog reviews recent developments in the law that impacts the disclosure of public records.

Employee Bonuses and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Employee Bonuses and the COVID-19 Pandemic

June 10, 2021 by Oskar Rey
Category: COVID-19 , Compensation

This blog considers whether local governments may give bonuses to employees for working through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vaccine Incentive Policies in the Local Government Workplace

Vaccine Incentive Policies in the Local Government Workplace

June 2, 2021 by Flannary Collins
Category: COVID-19 , Operating Policies

This blog looks at considerations around vaccine incentive policies in the local government workplace.

MoreHide

Blog Archives