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Posts for Alicia Bones

What Employee Recognition Programs Need to Succeed in Local Government

March 31, 2026  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Administration and Management ,  Compensation

Employee recognition programs don't need to be large or elaborate to be successful. Cities and counties across the state have looked at agency needs, culture, and goals to develop programs that make employees feel their work is appreciated.

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Building Belonging: Urban Strategies to Combat America's Loneliness Crisis

February 25, 2026  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Design ,  Inclusive Communities

Loneliness is rising in the U.S. and experts say urban design plays a major role. Walkable areas, inviting public spaces, and sociable housing can help rebuild connection and reduce isolation.

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Microtransit Programs: Key Takeaways for Local Governments

November 17, 2025  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Transportation Planning ,  Public Transit

Some transit agencies in Washington have begun offering microtransit, or on-demand shuttle service, as part of a broader strategy to provide expanded transit options to community members. What can be learned from these early efforts?

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Five Actions to Strengthen Local Government Earthquake Preparedness

October 13, 2025  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Emergency Management ,  Interlocal Cooperation

Many localities across the state participate in the annual Great Washington ShakeOut to enhance earthquake preparedness. Given the risks seismic activity poses to many communities statewide, what can local governments do year-round to better prepare their staff and the public?

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Why Cities and Towns Should Consider Developing Rental Housing Registries

September 2, 2025  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Housing

Cities and towns looking to regularly monitor local housing stock should consider developing a rental registry. Such a tool can aid an agency in planning and resource allocation, while also ensuring safe and well-maintained housing options are available for the community. 

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HB 1531: Helping Local Governments Support Consistent Public Health Messaging

June 25, 2025  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Emergency Management ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Effective April 21, 2025, HB 1531 clarifies that public health officers have authority to make science-based decisions during disease outbreaks, and local governments must follow those decisions.

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Expanding Public Participation in Planning Using Digital Tools

May 15, 2025  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Information Technology ,  Tools for Planners ,  Public Participation

Digital tools like 3D modeling, evaluation software, and interactive maps can help community members better understand proposed plans and can help planners gather more comprehensive community feedback reflecting a wider range of needs and perspectives.

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Strengthening Urban Resilience to Wildfire at the Local Level

April 21, 2025  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Emergency Management ,  Fire Protection

While many rural parts of Washington State have traditionally faced high risk of wildfire, urban areas, especially those near the wildland-urban interface, are also at risk. Urban areas can take proactive steps, such as adopting wildfire-related codes, to mitigate this risk. 

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Benefits and Challenges of Non-Traditional Work Schedules in Local Government

April 9, 2025  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Compensation ,  Personnel Policies ,  Recruitment and Hiring

Government agencies, including San Juan County, which instituted a reduced 32-hour workweek for staff in 2023, are exploring innovative approaches to workforce management. What has been the outcome and can these early adopters offer tips on what to do and what to avoid?

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One employee clocks in while talking to another

Maximizing Retention: Engagement Strategies for Local Government Shift and Low-Wage Workers

December 10, 2024  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Compensation ,  Personnel Policies

A local government should rethink its approach to engaging and retaining shift and low-wage workers, even if a wage increase is off the table. Some strategies to consider include consistent scheduling and providing workers with greater control over their hours. 

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Dashboard showing performance measurement metrics

Incorporating SMARTIE Outcomes and KPIs Into Your Performance Measurement Plans

September 11, 2024  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Leadership and Management

Local governments across Washington State have developed or have been interested in developing performance measurement systems to help with program evaluation and promote greater accountability to the public. 

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MRSC logo with 90th anniversary language

MRSC's 90th Anniversary Celebration: How Technology Shaped Organizational Efficiency from the 1970s to the Present

June 18, 2024  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  MRSC News and Updates

MRSC is celebrating 90 years of providing trusted guidance to Washington local governments. We started as a small office taking questions through the mail and have grown into an established nonprofit with an online presence that one user called 'government Google'.

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Local Government-Supported Urban Agriculture Adds Equity and Climate Change Benefits for the Public

May 1, 2024  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Climate and Sustainability ,  Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Programs ,  Inclusive Communities

Urban agriculture is more than just raising fruits and vegetables in a city setting: It can bring new economic opportunities, act as a small business incubator, be a source of fresh and healthy produce in food deserts, and reduce a community's greenhouse gas emissions. 

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Wooden houses and heart on a blue background

What Factors Increase the Likelihood Unhoused People Will Seek Out Shelters? Part Two

March 4, 2024  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Housing ,  Homelessness

In the second part of this blog series, we look at how local governments across Washington State are implementing best practices to reduce barriers that prevent unhoused people from accessing shelters, from funding diverse shelter types to developing regional service plans.

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A woman holds a young child while both sit on a shelter bed

What Factors Increase the Likelihood Unhoused People Will Seek Out Shelters? Part One

February 28, 2024  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Housing ,  Homelessness

How can shelter operators make their shelters more welcoming? What are some of the best practices shelters can follow to ensure that they don't enact barriers which prevent unhoused individuals from seeking help?

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person on laptop using emojis

Emojis in Public Agency Communication: Miscommunications and Records Ramifications ðŸ˜±

February 12, 2024  by  Sarah Doar ,  Alicia Bones
Category:  Open Public Meetings Act ,  Public Records Act

Emojis may make it easy to respond quickly to professional correspondence, but public agency staff and elected officials should think twice before giving a thumbs up to that email or Teams post.

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4 smiling young professionals standing arm in arm

To Support Employee Mental Health, Local Governments Think Creatively

January 8, 2024  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Personnel Policies

Local governments are using out-of-the-box thinking to help employees feel safe, supported, and secure at work, but also to ensure that that their work is meaningful and thier efforts are recognized. 

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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.

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