Introduction to MRSC Web Info for Special Purpose Districts

In the 2009 legislative session, the Washington State Legislature eliminated funding for special purpose district program that was started July 1, 2007; see Special District Announcement    IIn 2007, the legislature appropriated a small amount from the state general fund for the 2007-09 biennium to fund the new program. Given the potential demand for service and a relatively small appropriation, MRSC  focused on training, publications and the posting of materials for special districts on the MRSC web site.  

This page was created as a welcoming page and provided an introduction to MRSC's services and as an aid to access the information on  MRSC's Web pages of interest to Washington's special purpose governments.  Our Web site contains nearly 2000 subject pages, 7000 sample documents,  MRSC publications, and other reference material related to local government administration.  Many of  these will be useful to special district governments even though the special district program has been terminated.  MRSC provides a forum for information sharing among Washington local governments through its Web site.

Introduction to MRSC and its Programs

• Introduction to MRSC's Services and Website
• About the Inquiry Service

Information About Special Districts in Washington

• Special Purpose Districts in the State of Washington - This is the main contents page for the special purpose district  Web pages.
• Special District Associations  - Contains links to organizations and directories related to special districts.
• Washington Special Districts by County - Lists of districts by county and including cities and towns in district.
• Special Districts by Type of District  - Lists service providers for some topics such as fire protection, and links to pages that list types of districts by county.
• Formation of Special Districts -  Includes a summary page on formation and governance for each type of district and links to pages the MRSC has created for the various park districts, flood control, and mosquito control districts.
• Governance of Special Districts - An overview special district governance and list of related topics.

Topics of Interest to Special Districts

• General Statutory Provisions that Apply to Special Districts
• Finance Topics - Budgeting, contracting, credit card use, purchasing
• Legal Topics
  • Americans with Disabilities Act
  • Conflicts of Interest
  • Fair Labor Standards Act
  • Open Public Meetings Act
  • Public Hearings
  • Public Law Ethics Primer
  • Public Records Disclosure
  • Records Management
  • Sexual Harassment
  • State Environmental Policy Act
  • Whistleblowing 
• Governance Topics - Intergovernmental relations, legislative process, meeting procedures
• Personnel Topics - Job descriptions, personnel policies, travel reimbursement
  • Sample Special District Employee Handbook ()
  • Sample Special District Personnel Policies ()