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MRSC FOCUS › Focus - October 2001
 

Note: Some of the information on this archival Web page may no longer be current.

Focus - October 2001

Looking for New Ways to Present Your Budget Information?

At a recent WSAC conference, Commissioner Judie Stanton showed how Clark County presents its general fund budget under four basic program categories: mandatory, essential, discretionary, and support. See their "Budget by Purpose" outline and "Schedule of Programs" (Adobe Acrobat Document18 Kb) spreadsheet. (October 22)

Job Rights and Military Leave for Reservists and Members of the National Guard

Following the tragic events of September 11, President Bush activated some military reservists; it is anticipated that additional reservists may be activated, as the United State's response to the acts of terrorism is further developed. During the upcoming weeks, many questions involving military leave and the reemployment of returning reservists will undoubtedly arise. MRSC has compiled a series of questions, answers and links to assist cities and counties in responding to these issues. (October 15)

DOR Answers I-747 Questions

The Department of Revenue has issued a memo with questions and answers about Initiative 747. (October 8)

Emergency Planning - Response to Terrorism

Many jurisdictions are now reassessing their emergency management plans in view of the devastating terrorist acts of September 11. To help with this process, MRSC has developed a Web page on Preparing for Possible Terrorist Incidents. Information includes links to local government planning information, such as FEMA's Terrorism Attachment to the State and Local Guide (SLG) 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning, NLC's publication on Domestic Terrorism, information on bioterrorism, and FEMA's extensive list of Web linked resources. (October 5)

Implicit Price Deflator (IPD) Increase is 1.89 Percent

On September 1, we announced that, based on unpublished data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the increase in the implicit price deflator for personal consumption expenditures from July 2000 to July 2001 was 1.89 percent. However, the Department of Revenue does not consider this number official until it is confirmed by data published in the September 2001 issue of the Survey of Current Business. That publication has taken place. More ... (October 4)

State Supreme Court Decides I-722 is Unconstitutional . . .

In a unanimous decision issued on September 20, the state supreme court decided that Initiative 722 is unconstitutional and void because it violates the single subject clause of the state constitution. Justice Sanders wrote a separate, concurring opinion. (September 20)

Change in Military Leave Law

The period during which military leave is calculated has been changed under legislation enacted earlier this year (Chapter 71, Laws of 2001 (HB 1028)). Previously, government employers were required to grant members of the active military and reservists leave from their employment "for a period not exceeding fifteen days during each calendar year." Effective October 1, 2001, the reference period is changed to be the year "beginning October 1st and ending the following September 30th." (October 1)

Inquiry of the Week

This week's "Inquiry of the Week":

May city or county legislative bodies meet in executive session to discuss "matters affecting national security," including terrorism security and response planning?

[Previous inquiries of the week]

King County Launches Online Property Tax Site

The new King County Property Tax Information System Web Site lets county citizens access real-time property tax information from the county's tax files. Residents can access property tax data for a parcel/account by entering their property tax parcel/account number, allowing them to view tax and value information related to the property. (October 1)

Featured Page: Effective Communication and Citizen Involvement

Our Effective Communication and Citizen Involvement Web page presents ideas and examples of successful communication tools that local governments can use to (1) keep citizens informed about community issues and services, (2) to obtain feedback about citizen concerns and, (3) to engage citizens in shaping community direction, improvement programs and services. It also presents information and techniques for better communicating what local government is and what it does. (October 1)

Washington State Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Deadline

Applications for the State Hazard Mitigation Grant Program must be received by October 31, 2001. Funding for the grants, administered by the Washington Emergency Management Division, is available as the result of the Nisqually Earthquake (FEMA 1361-DR-WA). During the initial phase of the program, over 370 Letters of Intent were received from almost 150 potential applicants requesting over $427 million in potential mitigation funding. More from the Washington State Emergency Management Division Web site. (October 2)

Downtown Rebound

In a study cosponsored by the Fannie Mae Foundation and the Brookings Institution Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy, Rebecca R. Sohmer and Robert E. Lang, found that the number of people living in downtowns increased during the 1990s in 18 of the 24 cities studied. Most of the downtown growth was fueled by the movements of white residents into these central business districts. This is a counter trend to the overall loss of white residents in central cities to the suburbs. The full report (Adobe Acrobat Document49 Kb) is available on the Center on Urban and Metropolitan Web site. (October 1)

Statistical Resources for Washington Local Governments

Our Statistical Resources page brings together a comprehensive list of links to sites containing statistical information relating to local government in Washington, including criminal justice, demographics, Economics, housing, and much more. (October 1)

Changes to Street Vacation Compensation Law

The state law governing street vacations undertaken by cities and towns has been amended by Chapter 202, Laws of 2001 allowing cities and towns, under certain conditions, to seek up to the full appraised value of the area to be vacated and restricting how the compensation raised by the vacation may be spent. More … (September 5)

Local Governments Must Appoint Agents to Receive Claims for Damages

State law currently requires that a claim for damages must be presented and filed with the governing body of each local government entity within the applicable period of limitations. New legislation enacted at the 2001 legislative session, which became effective July 22, 2001, requires that the governing body of each local government formally appoint an agent to receive these claims for damages. The identity and location of the agent during business hours must be recorded with the county auditor. See ESHB 1530, enacted as Ch. 119, Laws of 2001. Also see sample claim for damages forms from the cities of Lacey and Vancouver. (August 17)

Web Sightings - Smart Growth

Have you been curious about Smart Growth and what it means? Find out with these links to national, state and local initiatives: (October 1)

Washington City/County History Quiz

When the first pioneers arrived in 1871, the salmon were so abundant in nearby rivers they called their settlement Salmonberg. In its logging heydays it was a rollicking town with a stagecoach office, saloons and hotels, blacksmiths and eateries. In 1912, the community of 300 needed a modern waterworks system and, in order to tax its thriving saloons, voted to incorporate. Today, this city enjoys a diverse and growing Economic base and is home to some of the largest high-tech firms in the country. What city is it? And the answer is ~drum roll~ ... (October 1)

Selected New MRSC Library Materials

Browse through a selected list of new MRSC Library materials (listed by subject). The list includes new library books, videos, articles, government publications, and more.

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