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MRSC FOCUS › Focus - August 1999
 

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

Focus - August 1999

Inquiry of the Week

This week's "Inquiry of the Week":

Request for summary of statutes that would be repealed if Initiative 695 were approved in the November election.

[Previous inquiries of the week]

Initiative 695 Resource Center

MRSC is providing a central information-sharing resource center for Initiative 695. We are providing relevant links and information developed by other organizations for your benefit. We do not take responsibility for any of the information provided, nor do we necessarily agree with any of the positions taken. More …

The Increase in the Implicit Price Deflator (IPD) from July 1998 to July 1999 Was 1.42 Percent

In a news release dated August 27, 1999, the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce announced that the July 1999 index for the implicit price deflator for personal consumption expenditures was 114.40. This represents a 1.42 percent increase over July 1998. This percent is the "limit factor" for property tax levy increases under Referendum 47. RCW 84.55.010.

Here is the math. Divide the July 1999 index (114.4) by the July 1998 index (112.80). Subtract 1 and multiply by 100. The result is 1.42 percent.

The Department of Revenue tells us that this number will not be official until it is confirmed in the September 1999 issue of the Survey of Current Business.

A Revenue Guide for Washington Cities and Towns

MRSC has published a new edition of A Revenue Guide for Washington Cities and Towns (Adobe Acrobat Document 743kb). It contains up-to-date information on revenue sources available to cities and towns for general government purposes, including the relevant statutory references and court decisions. For information on the impacts of Initiative 695 (which are not addressed in this publication), see Budget Suggestions for 2003 (Adobe Acrobat Document 488kb). Printed copies will be mailed this week to mayors, city managers/administrators, and clerk-treasurers/finance directors.

Guidelines for Local Officials in Initiative 695 Campaign

There are certain restrictions in Washington State law concerning what local government officials and employees may do in regard to a campaign involving a ballot proposition. Local government officials need to be aware of these restrictions as they apply to use of public facilities, and of what rights they have as citizens to express their support or opposition to Initiative 695. For more, see Use of Public Facilities to Support or Oppose Ballot Propositions and What Can and Can't Local Government Officials and Employees Do to Support or Oppose Initiative 695.

Budget Suggestions for 2000

Budget Suggestions for 2003 (Adobe Acrobat Document 488kb) is now available on our Web site! Budget Suggestions for 2000 includes descriptions and interpretations of 1999 legislation that may affect your budget, revenue forecasts, CPI forecasts, and an implicit price deflator forecast, including a look ahead to 2001. Special features include articles on two state programs - the Local Option Capital Asset Lending Program and the Procurement Card Program, as well as articles on Initiative 695, the use of public facilities to support or oppose ballot propositions, and the publication of ordinances.

Internship Network Northwest

The purpose of Internship Network Northwest (INNW) is to provide a central location where local governments can post, and where interested graduate and undergraduate students can find, internship opportunities. INNW is a collaborative effort between the Washington City/County Management Association and the Municipal Research & Services Center of Washington.

Protection Order Legislation Impacts All Court Clerks, Sheriffs and Police

On July 25th SSB 5134 (Chapter 184, Laws of 1999) went into effect. This legislation is similar to legislation enacted recently by over 30 other states. All courts and law enforcement officers in this state are now required to give full faith & credit to protection orders issued by courts in other states. The final senate bill report provides a good synopsis of the legislation. Those directly impacted by the legislation may wish to read the full text of the legislation.

The Web as Communication Tool in Disaster Response Efforts

Two Washington local government Web sites offer excellent examples of how the Web can be used by local governments to keep citizens informed and up-to-date in the wake of a disaster. Whatcom County's Web site provides extensive information for citizens on the Olympic Pipeline leak and explosion including fact sheets, news, updates, maps and photos. The city of Kelso's home page provides links to background information, answers to frequently-asked questions, and photos relating to the Aldercrest-Banyon landslide which has damaged or destroyed 103 of 137 homes in a local subdivision.

Web Sightings - Performance Measurement

This month we feature links to Web sites with information on performance measurement in local government:

"Find the Park You Want" in Bellevue

The city of Bellevue's Web site offers visitors a searchable database of the city's park system. The database allows users to search for parks with features and facilities they are most interested in. After choosing from a list of desired park features users are presented with a list of parks containing those features and directions for finding them.

Cyber Ordinances

Does your city/county post recently adopted ordinances and/or resolutions on its Web site? These do: Bainbridge Island, Edmonds, Ferndale, King County, SeaTac, Seattle, Spokane, and Tumwater.

MRSC's New Local Government Services Directory

Add a link to your company's Web site from MRSC's new Local Government Services Directory - the best place to get exposure to local governments in Washington. The directory lists Washington local government service providers alphabetically and by service type. Each listing will also allow placement of a brief description of your company's products and services. More …

Join in the Discussion

Since 1995, MRSC has hosted a national listserv (E-mail discussion group) on local government policy issues. The listserv provides you with a means to pose questions and share information on policy issues facing your local government. To add your name to the subscriber list, send an E-mail message to localgov-subscribe-request@home.ease.lsoft.com with no subject line. In the body of the message, type subscribe localgov [your name]. There is no charge for subscribing. You may unsubscribe from the listserv at any time by sending a message to localgov-unsubscribe-request@home.ease.lsoft.com. In the body of the message, type unsubscribe localgov.

New MRSC Compilations

Check out our new compilations on City Council Rules of Procedure and Scenic View Protection.

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.

Get MRSC Web Site Updates by E-mail

You can get a monthly e-mail notifying you of selected updates to MRSC's Web site by subscribing to the mrscweb mailing list (listserv). Simply send an e-mail to Terri Sanders, MRSC Information Services Technician, at tsanders@mrsc.org. Include your first and last name and your e-mail address. You may also have your name removed from the list at any time, again by sending an e-mail to Terri Sanders with your request.

Unlike most listservs, mrscweb is not a discussion list to which all subscribers may post messages, but a free subscription to a monthly notice updating you on major changes and additions to the MRSC Web site.