Note: Some of the information on this archival Web page may no longer be current.
Focus - December 1998
Inquiry of the Week
This week's "Inquiry of the Week":
Who is responsible for snow and ice removal from city sidewalks?
[Previous inquiries of the week]
New Web Page - Economic Development
A new Web page on Economic Development has been added to our Web site. It contains information on what Washington local governments can do to foster and promote Economic development, information on strategies local governments are using in their communities, available funding sources, and much more.
Appeals Court Decision Provides Guidance on Conflict of Interest Questions
In a recently decided case, Division II of the State Court of Appeals provides some new guidance on issues relating to conflict of interest prohibitions involving contract interests of local government officials. More...
Year 2000 Update
Get the latest on MRSC's Y2K resources, including a new handbook available from our library, and a planned Y2K database.
Initiative 200 Passes - Public Hiring and Procurement Affected
I-200 takes effect on December 3 and applies to all local governments, including counties, cities and towns. More . . .
Government Technology Online
Stay current with government technology issues through Government Technology magazine's Web site. If you are looking for information on a particular subject, you can also browse and search past issues.
Smart Growth Network
Interested in fostering "smart" growth in your community? The Smart Growth Network is a nationwide effort coordinated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the International City/County Management Association to create national, regional, and local coalitions to encourage metropolitan development that is environmentally, fiscally, and Economically and socially smart.
Smart Trek
One of the necessary components of "smart" growth will undoubtedly be a smart transportation system. The "Smart Trek" demonstration project led by the Washington State Department of Transportation uses information technology to better manage the region's traffic, inform travelers, move public transit more efficiently and improve emergency response. The Smart Trek Web site provides real-time traffic, bus, and ferry information, direct from the source.
State Purchasing Cooperative
The Department of General Administration's Office of State Procurement develops and administers contracts for goods and services with an estimated term value of approximately $600 million, on behalf of state agencies, colleges and universities, select non profit organizations, and local governments. Political subdivisions that join the cooperative are able to use state contracts for their purchases. The cooperative uses the volume of members' purchases and their competitive procurement practices to secure advantageous prices and terms from vendors. To learn more about this program, visit the State Procurement Offices' Web site.
HELP Academy
The Washington State Department of Personnel and the Littler Mendelson law firm have teamed up to provide comprehensive human resources education for managers and human resources professionals. The "Human Resources Education and Liability Prevention (HELP) Academy" provides a comprehensive training program covering 24 different human resource liability topics and numerous sub-topics within six training modules. To learn more, see the HELP Academy Web site. The HELP Reference and Resource Directory contains good summaries of basic personnel/employment issues, helpful checklists and guidelines, and links to related sites.
Web Sightings - Online Job Listings
Looking for a job in local government? These sites list current local government job listings:
- Job Net - On the Association
of Washington Cities' Web site (primarily Washington local government position
listings).
- Courthouse Journal - The Washington
State Association of Counties' and Washington Association of County Officials'
weekly newsletter contains county job listings on last page.
- Govtjobs.com - Agencies
listing positions with govtjobs.com include cities, counties, states, executive
search firms, advertising agencies and other governmental jurisdictions.
- Jobs in Government - Lists thousands
of government and public sector job opportunities which can be accessed through
an interactive database search.
- Local Government Job Net - Sponsored by the Local Government Institute (LGI), lists jobs available nationally.
Counties/Cities 457 Deferred Compensation Plans
By January 1, 1999 all county and city sponsored Internal Revenue Code Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plans must be amended to meet the requirements of the Small Business Jobs Protection Act of 1996. If the plans do not meet these requirements, they will be considered ineligible and government employers will be liable for the amount of income taxes that should have been withheld and the employees will be liable for the payment of income taxes on vested amounts deferred under the plans. An excellent article, written by a Washingon D.C. pension-tax attorney, on the necessary changes is available on-line. Thanks to David Jamieson, Island County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, for contributing this item.
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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