MRSC Insight Blog

A woman celebrates winning her election with her supporters

November 29, 2023 by MRSC Insight
Category: Administrative and Elected Officials , Administrative and Elected Officials-County , Elections

Now that you've been elected there are a number of steps you'll need to take before assuming office, as well as some resources you might want to check out to get ready for your new adventure.

Man asks question during political meeting

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

November 27, 2023 by Ann G. Macfarlane
Category: Guest Author , Legislative Body

The public comment period of a public meeting can be a great time to hear from constituents and to be heard. However, elected officials should not use this period to get into back-and-forth exchanges with members of the public — for a variety of reasons.

An ethnically diverse group of young professionals in an office

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

November 14, 2023 by Alicia Bones
Category: Compensation , Recruitment and Hiring

Government agencies looking to boost retention among younger employees should consider improving their compensation packages, offering more flexibility, regularly highlighting employee contributions, and developing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Utility trucked parked on sidewalk with a road sign noting that utility work is being done

A Compendium of 2023 Utilities Legislation

November 13, 2023 by Steve Gross
Category: Environmental Policy and Management , Utilities , New Legislation and Regulations

It was a mixed bag for utility legislation in 2023. There are some new obligations for utilities, but certain non-project and project actions are now categorically exempt from SEPA review.

Diverse group of seated people participating in a meeting

Comprehensive Planning Tips, with a Focus on Implementation

November 8, 2023 by Steve Butler
Category: Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management

A successful comprehensive plan will help guide community growth for decades into the future. When updating a plan, a local government should focus on using a strong planning process, conducting robust community engagement, and focusing on plan implementation.

When Hate Comes to Town: Addressing Racist and Anti-Semitic Public Comment at Meetings

November 6, 2023 by Oskar Rey
Category: Inclusive Communities , Legislative Body , Public Participation

In recent months, some city council meetings have had their public comment period hijacked by bad actors whose purpose is to make hateful comments. Local governments have some options for minimizing the chance that their meetings are compromised in such a manner.

I Didn’t Know MRSC Had That!

November 1, 2023 by Cheryl Grant
Category: MRSC Topics

The MRSC website has a variety of resources to offer local government staff, especially clerk/treasurers from small cities. MRSC Finance consultant Cheryl Grant gives us a preview of her favorite resources.

Tree on stack of silver coins and hand filling glass jar with coins

Implementation Strategies for Climate Action and Sustainability Plans, Part 2

October 31, 2023 by Michael Incorvaia
Category: Guest Author , Climate Change

The Inflation Reduction Act (2022) funds infrastructure projects focused on clean energy and climate resilience through tax credits. With a total of $47 billion available to local governments, even the smaller funding programs established through the Act are significant.

The Oath of Office for Local Elected Officials

October 25, 2023 by MRSC Insight
Category: Administrative and Elected Officials , Administrative and Elected Officials-County

Local governments often have questions about the oath of office, such as when it can be taken, who can administer it, what wording should be used, and whether it must be administered in person.

A hand chooses among several options of social media apps

Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Social Media

October 23, 2023 by Nathan MacDonald
Category: Guest Author , Social Media

Despite the many challenges local governments face in using social media platforms, these tools offer huge benefits in terms of immediacy and reach. Agencies can put safeguards in place to stay focused even when the social media landscape seems to be in turmoil.

People walking, biking, driving a car, or riding on a bus

How Downtown Plans Can Create a Framework for Revitalization Efforts: Part 2

October 18, 2023 by Lisa Pool
Category: Transportation Planning , Transportation and Land Use

Downtown plans often employ a multifaceted approach, but those that include goals of expanding transportation options, addressing safety concerns, and working to bring a sense of security back to the area can spur revitalization efforts.

2023 Brings New Firearms Legislation to Washington State

October 16, 2023 by Flannary Collins
Category: New Legislation and Regulations , Firearms

Several firearms-related bills were passed during the 2023 legislative session, including a ban on assault weapons, and new requirements for firearms purchase, such as background checks and a 10-day waiting period.

How Downtown Plans Can Create a Framework for Revitalization Efforts: Part 1

October 11, 2023 by Lisa Pool
Category: Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management

To create downtowns that can truly recover and thrive after a major unexpected event, cities must outline both near- and long-term steps in their downtown plans, including adaptive reuse strategies and ensuring that downtown public spaces are welcoming, safe, and exciting.

Managing Conflict at Work with Strategies that Actually Work

October 9, 2023 by Amy Leneker
Category: Guest Author , Management

By putting certain strategies into place, organizations and teams can set themselves up for healthy conflict that results in better outputs and greater inclusion and satisfaction among employees.

A circled calendar date with the phrase, Learn something new!

Local Governments Can Now Dig Into Free Public Works Training

October 5, 2023 by Josh Klika
Category: MRSC News and Updates , Purchasing and Contracting

MRSC has received funding to offer training and technical assistance on public works contracting and to help local governments comply with SB 5268, which modifies small works roster requirements, and HB 1050, which expands apprenticeship utilization to municipalities.

An open laptop with an image of a lock hovering above the keyboard

2023 Public Records Legislative Changes — School and Election Records

October 2, 2023 by Sarah Doar
Category: Public Records Act , New Legislation and Regulations

County election officials and school districts will be pleased to learn about new public records changes: one exempts voted ballots and another exempts the personal information of students in any records pertaining to the student.

Close up of hand of one person giving money to another person

Handling Payroll Overpayments

September 27, 2023 by Eric Lowell
Category: Accounting

What happens when an employee is accidentally paid a higher salary for several months or even several years? It could raise concerns about gift of public funds. Local governments must be careful to follow the processes outlined in the statutes when handling payroll overpayments.

A bunch of file folders with a lock on one folder

New PRA Exemption Available to Protect Employee Safety

September 25, 2023 by Sarah Doar
Category: Public Records Act

New in 2023, ESHB 1533 amends the Public Records Act to exempt from disclosure certain information on employees (and dependents) who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, or stalking or who are enrolled in the state's Address Confidentiality Program.

The Basics of Meeting Agendas

September 20, 2023 by MRSC Insight
Category: Legislative Body

For open public meetings, a comprehensive, well-prepared agenda can keep things moving while ensuring all members of the governing body are on the same page. But what should be included according to statute, who should prepare it, and what happens if it needs to be amended?

Female colleagues, one wearing a hijab, working at computer desk

New Supreme Court Ruling Clarifies Undue Hardship Standard, Makes It Harder to Prove

September 18, 2023 by Kendra Rosenberg
Category: Guest Author , Court Decisions and AGO Opinions

The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled on a religious accommodation claim in the case of Gross v. DeJoy, rejecting the prior standard that employers could deny a requested accommodation if the cost would be “more than de minimis."

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