Attorney General Opinions - Consolidated City-County Government

• AGO 1994 No. 20

  Opinion by the Washington State Attorney General discussing the options available to a board of freeholders elected to draft and present a proposed combined city-county charter pursuant to Art. XI, § 16 of the Washington Constitution. Provides that the freeholders may not instead draft a charter relating to the county only and discusses the difference between a county home rule charter under Wash. Const. Art. XI, § 4 and a charter creating a combined city-county government under Wash. Const. Art. XI, § 16.

• AGO 1975 No. 2

  Opinion by the Washington State Attorney General comprehensively discussing the formation of combined city-county government under Art. XI, § 16 of the Washington Constitution and the affect on cities and special purpose districts. The opinion covers: retention or dissolution of existing municipal corporations upon formation of a city-county under Article XI, § 16 (Amendment 58 (1972)) of state constitution; conditions applicable for the election of freeholders to frame a city-county charter; retention or nonretention of certain county elected officials; assumption of existing intergovernmental contracts by a newly formed city-county; ability of a city-county to make contracts under the interlocal cooperation act; power of a city-county to impose an income tax; eligibility of a city-county for state funds which are statutorily distributable to counties or cities; legality of a city-county two year zoning moratorium; retirement coverage for employees of a newly formed city-county.