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Municipal Research Council

Municipal Research Council

July 2006 to July 2007

Contents

The Municipal Research Council is a state agency that provides a comprehensive research and services program for the 281 cities and towns and 39 counties of Washington State. This is the continuation and expansion of a program that began in 1934 as a cooperative arrangement between the Association of Washington Cities and the Bureau of Governmental Research and Services at the University of Washington. Operations are funded out of a small portion of the cities' and counties' distribution of liquor profits and the Liquor Excise Tax. The Council has fourteen members: two appointed by the President of the Senate; two appointed by the Speaker of the House; one member shall be the director of community, trade and economic development; six members appointed by the Association of Washington Cities, two appointed by the Washington State Association of Counties, and one appointed by the Washington Association of County Officials.

The Municipal Research Council was created for the purpose of providing cost-saving research and services to local governments through one centralized source. The Council's programs are designed to provide technical expertise that for the most part is not affordable to an individual local government and to eliminate duplication of effort that occurs when services are performed separately by individual local governments. Since its inception it has been strongly supported by the user cities and towns who rely heavily on these services to function within municipal budgetary constraints. It appears that counties are also sharing these benefits, even though the county program is very new.

The Municipal Research Council is a state agency without a staff. Its programs are implemented through a contract with a not-for-profit organization called the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC). Key programs include an inquiry service program, which answered over 7,500 requests for assistance in 1999. Staff experience includes budgeting and finance, municipal law, public management and administration, planning and growth management, public works and utilities, and local government policies.

MRSC houses a reference library comprised of local documents, state laws, ordinances, city and county codes, magazines, journals, and standard reference works. City and county officials are encouraged to send copies of local ordinances, reports, studies, planning documents, comprehensive plans, surveys, and other items to MRSC so that they can be shared with other local governments.

You can access MRSC's Web site at www.mrsc.org This information-packed site includes the Revised Code of Washington, Washington Administrative Code, municipal and county codes, ordinances, and a wealth of information relevant to local governments in Washington State.

MRSC continues the publishing program started in 1934. It includes information bulletins, research memorandums, and reports.

MRSC programs belong to Washington cities and counties. We appreciate any comments or suggestions to improve our services.

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Municipal Research Council Member List

Six Members Appointed by the Association of Washington Cities

The Honorable Steve Jenkins (Vice Chair)
Mayor, City of Bridgeport
1206 Columbia Avenue
Post Office Box 640
Bridgeport, WA 98813

The Honorable Pam Carter
Councilmember, City of Tukwila
6200 Southcenter Boulevard
Tukwila, WA 98188

The Honorable Barbara Harrer
Mayor, Town of Harrah
11 East Pioneer
Post Office Box 10
Harrah, WA 98933-0010

The Honorable Ted Hikel
Councilmember, City of Lynnwood
19100 44th Ave West
Lynnwood, WA 98036

The Honorable Tom Moak
Councilmember, City of Kennewick
418 West Kennewick Avenue
Kennewick, WA 99336

The Honorable Mark Foutch
Mayor, City of Olympia
Post Office Box 1967
Olympia, WA 98507-1967

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Two Members Appointed by the Speaker of the House

The Honorable Judy Clibborn
Washington State Representative
315 John L. O'Brien Building
Post Office Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600

The Honorable Bill Hinkle (Chair)
Washington State Representative
404 Legislative Building
Post Office Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600

Two Members Appointed by the President of the Senate

The Honorable Mary Margaret Haugen
Washington State Senator
437 John A. Cherberg Building
Post Office Box 40410
Olympia, WA 98504-0410

The Honorable Joyce Mulliken
Washington State Senator
115B Irv Newhouse Building
Post Office Box 40413
Olympia, WA 98504-0413

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Two County Members Nominated by the Washington State Association of Counties

The Honorable Mike Doherty
Clallam County Commissioner
223 East Fourth Street, Suite 4
Port Angeles, WA 98362-3015

The Honorable Cathy Wolfe
Thurston County Commissioner
2000 Lakeridge Dr SW
olympia, WA 98402

One Member Nominated by the Washington Association of County Officials

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Mark McClain
Kittitas County
205 West 5th
Ellensburg, WA 98926

Director of Community, Trade and Economic Development

Juli Wilkerson
Director
Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development
128 - 10th Avenue SW
Post Office Box 42525
Olympia, WA 98504-2525