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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for November 2017

Contracting – Some General Principles for Counties

Contracting – Some General Principles for Counties

November 30, 2017  by  Paul Sullivan
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting

This blog article discusses how counties can contract for goods and services, including the role that elected officials other than county commissioners may play in the process.

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Selecting A & E Services

Selecting A & E Services

November 28, 2017  by  Judy Isaac
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting

Public Works Consultant Judy Isaac simplifies the complicated process for procuring architectural and engineering services for projects not funded by federal dollars. 

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12 Examples of Short-Term Vacation Rental Regulations

12 Examples of Short-Term Vacation Rental Regulations

November 22, 2017  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Tourism ,  Licensing and Regulation

The issue of internet-based, short-term vacation rentals has been in the news for several years thanks to the growth of companies like Airbnb and VRBO. This post offers examples of local government short-term vacation rental regulations.

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Seattle Experiments With Dockless Bike Share

Seattle Experiments With Dockless Bike Share

November 20, 2017  by  Flannary Collins
Category:  Cycling and Walking

Seattle rolled out a dockless bike pilot program this past July and the colorful, 2-wheeled results can be seen all over the city. What's next for this program and what do neighboring jurisdictions think about it?

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Ballot Measures Part 2: Forms of Government, Marijuana Bans, and Non-Revenue Measures

Ballot Measures Part 2: Forms of Government, Marijuana Bans, and Non-Revenue Measures

November 13, 2017  by  Steve Hawley
Category:  Cannabis Regulation ,  Elections ,  Forms of Government-City

This blog post recaps some of the non-revenue ballot measures in the general election, including Shelton abandoning its commission form of government, Port Angeles retaining its code city classification, and voters expressing support for existing marijuana bans.

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Ballot Measures Part 1: Affordable Housing Taxes, Revenue Measures, and Low Voter Turnout

Ballot Measures Part 1: Affordable Housing Taxes, Revenue Measures, and Low Voter Turnout

November 9, 2017  by  Steve Hawley
Category:  Elections ,  Revenues

Senior Communications Coordinator Steve Hawley recaps some of the local funding measures in this year’s general election, including the state’s first affordable housing sales tax, the failure of a voted REET 2 measure, and low turnout causing problems for bonds and levies.

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Understanding Municipal Rights-of-Way: From Centerline to Edge (Part 2)

Understanding Municipal Rights-of-Way: From Centerline to Edge (Part 2)

November 7, 2017  by  Oskar Rey
Category:  Streets and Sidewalks

In the second of three posts on understanding municipal rights-of-way, Legal Consultant Oskar Rey discusses sidewalks, street trees, and the areas near the outer edge of the right-of-way. 

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