Focus Archive - Finance

Please note that Focus section links were valid at the time of their original posting. However, since Web sites and addresses change frequently, we cannot guarantee that all links will remain operative.

Worst is Yet to Come for County Budgets, Survey Says (November 18)
The nation's counties, small and large, are still struggling to cope with declining revenues as a result of the recession, according to a new survey by the National Association of Counties (NACo). More from American City & County.

The Ticking Fiscal Clock (November 18)
In this state and local fiscal mess, realism may be the only option. More from Governing.

Local Governments to Face Large-Scale Cuts (November 18)
Despite reports that the economy is recovering from the recession, there will likely be large-scale city government layoffs, deep cuts to local government services and halted or delayed capital projects in the next year or two. More from Brookings.

Tactical Financial Management: Cash Flow and Budgetary Variance Analysis (November 18)
In the current environment, public officials can’t wait until the end of the year to get an accurate picture of financial position. More from Government Finance Review.

Private Pay, Public Pensions and Some Real Math (November 12)
Let's replace ideology with compensation analytics. More from Governing.

Volunteerism Sparks Municipal Innovation and Recovery (November 12)
Many cities are tapping into a reservoir of human capital — volunteers — to continue delivering services and driving economic recovery. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

Is the Stimulus Working? (November 12)
A new International City/County Management (ICMA) white paper shows how common data from local governments can help determine the effects of stimulus funding and demonstrate the value of local governments. More from ICMA.

More on Your Levy, Making a Finding of Substantial Need, and Banking Capacity (November 09)
Due to popular demand, we are providing more information on your levy, making a finding of substantial need, and banking capacity. More

In Search of a Fair Pension Formula (October 28)
Realistic income-replacement ratios in the 'new normal' economy. More from Governing.

Counties Look for Money, Alternatives to Bail (October 28)
A new study released by the National Association of Counties’ (NACo) sheds light on an underreported but costly problem facing counties and taxpayers: a significant rise in the jail population. More from NACo's County News.

Outsourcing, Insourcing, Rightsourcing (October 28)
Now is not time to add more costs, or less quality, by artificially dictating insourcing targets in deciding how to go about the people's business. More from Governing.

An Opportunity for Creative Destruction (October 28)
By empowering managers to challenge assumptions, the economic crisis has ushered in permanent changes to governing. More from Governing.

Re-engineering and Installing Sustainable Pension and OPEB Plans (October 21)
Many jurisdictions are concerned about the affordability of their retirement benefits. If your organization is looking for solutions, there are ways to achieve sustainable financing. More from Government Finance Review.

Muni Madness (October 21)
There is one area of government finance that is doing well--or at least much, much better than it was: the municipal bond market. More from Governing.

MRSC Services Survey (October 21)
MRSC is conducting a brief survey to assess whether or not our existing services are meeting your needs and to determine your interest in any additional services. We would appreciate your taking a few minutes to respond to these nine questions. Thank you.

Generational Battle Brews Over Gilded Baby-Boom Pensions (October 14)
Resentment is building among younger workers, and Boomer unionists face a backlash. More from Governing.

For Your Consideration (October 14)
A recent New York Times article ("Indigent Burials Are on the Rise," October 10, 2009) says that "coroners and medical examiners across the country are reporting spikes in the number of unclaimed bodies and indigent burials, with states, counties and private funeral homes having to foot the bill when families cannot." Has this issue come up in your city our county? If so, what has your response been? In tight economic times, how do you think local governments should cover the expense of indigent burials and cremation? Send us your response by email to mrsc@mrsc.org and we’ll post your answers.

Releasing the Bonds (October 07)
New federal instruments fund state and local infrastructure projects. More from American City & County.

No Increase to Washington’s Minimum Wage in 2010 (October 07)
Washington’s minimum wage will not increase in 2010 but will remain the same at $8.55 an hour because the Consumer Price Index for the past 12 months did not increase. More from the State Department of Labor & Industries.

Cities Work with Schools to Remedy Park Shortages (October 07)
Working with schools gives parks departments a way to use rare open space that might otherwise be sitting vacant after school hours. More from American City & County.

The Next Federal Grant System (September 30)
The stimulus law’s transparency requirements won’t shed much light on the achievement of objectives. More from Governing.

Ratcheting Up Performance (September 30)
Ratcheting up performance is essentially an addiction strategy: Create performance targets that people can hit. Get them hooked on success. More from Bob Behn's Performance Leadership Report.

Retirement Benefits and the Incumbent Employee Conundrum (September 30)
Bill baby boomers for their retirement costs — before they get away. More from Governing.

Is Privatization the Answer? (September 30)
Mounting revenue shortfalls are forcing state and local governments to find creative ways to cut costs, while at the same time, continue to provide core services to residents. More from MuniNetGuide.

The Change in the IPD from July 2008 to July 2009 is -0.848 Percent (September 23)
The State Department of Revenue has received information on the July implicit price deflator (IPD) for personal consumption expenditures from the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce. It is 109.270. This represents a 0.848 percent decrease compared to the revised July 2008 index number of 110.205. More …

California: Paying the Price for Indulging Citizens (September 23)
The Golden State's voters opted for more schools, roads and research, but then refused to pay for them. More from Governing.

Prefunding OPEB in State and Local Governments (September 23)
A new issue brief from the Center for State & Local Government Excellence, Prefunding Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) in State and Local Governments: Options and Early Evidence, takes a hard look at the options state and local governments are pursuing to reduce their unfunded liabilities for retiree health care.

ARRA Fund Recipient Registration (September 23)
Registration at www.federalreporting.gov is required of organizations receiving American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds who are either the prime recipient of awards or who have been delegated to report on Recovery Act projects by the prime recipient.

How Four-Day Weeks Work (September 23)
This alternative schedule can improve efficiency and work-life balance, but how is it implemented? More from Governing.

The Impact of the Fiscal Crisis on Local Governments (September 23)
A new report from the International City/County Management Association, How It Plays in Peoria: The Impact of the Fiscal Crisis on Local Governments, offers a snapshot of how local government leaders and communities throughout the nation are weathering the economic storm and positioning themselves for growth in the future.

Credit Card Confusion (September 16)
New rules for credit card fees leave many government agencies dazed. More from American City & County.

Trimming Waste (September 16)
A greener, cheaper way to deal with garbage - solar-powered trash receptacles/compactors. More from Slate.

Where Less is More Efficient (September 16)
There are signs that four-day workweeks may have another, unexpected benefit: greater efficiency. More from Governing.

Tying Federal Funding to Regional Cooperation (September 02)
If the Obama administration gets its way during the next few years, the means by which the federal government interacts with states and localities across a wide range of policy areas will be redefined. More from Governing.

Few Payoffs for Overtime Pay (September 02)
It can be a drag on pensions and the bottom line. More from Governing.

It's All in the Questions: The Manager's Role in Achieving Fiscal Health (September 02)
As the fiscal reality facing local governments across the nation becomes more challenging to manage and the necessary financial choices become more difficult to make, local government managers must ensure that the right questions are being asked to assess their organization's state of fiscal health. More from Public Management.

Financial Lockdown (August 26)
Large projects and small in big cities and rural towns are on hold because of the lockdown in the bond insurance market. More from American City & County.

Could the Recovery Act Help Reinvent Government? (August 26)
If you think the Obama administration’s $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is just one big government boondoggle, check out some top regional implementation strategies. More from Citiwire.

Brookings Report on the Landscape of Recession (August 12)
A new report from Brookings, Landscape of Recession: Unemployment and Safety Net Services Across Urban and Suburban America, measures recent changes in unemployment and the demand for safety net services, providing a first look at the impact of the current recession on the cities and suburbs of the country’s major metro areas. More from Brookings.

Fiscal Impact Statement for Initiative 1033 (August 12)
The State Office of Financial Management (OFM) recently released the Fiscal Impact Statement for Initiative 1033 estimating impacts on state, city and county governments through calendar year 2015. For more information, see MRSC's new Initiative 1033 page.

The Costliest Ride (August 05)
Transportation service for the disabled can be a budget-buster. Cities are looking at a variety of new approaches. More from Governing.

Saving the Nest Egg (August 05)
It’s time to restore balance to the funding of pension plans. More from Governing.

Eyes Wide Open, A Practical Guide to Business Retention (August 05)
More than ever before, a sound, systematic business retention program should be the foundation of every community's economic development strategy. More from Public Management.

Which Cities Will, and Won’t, Recover the Fastest (August 05)
While some cities are poised for a quick rebound, others face a slog to recovery that could take years. More from Forbes.

Initiative 1033 (I-1033) has Enough Certified Signatures to be on the November ballot (July 17)
This initiative would limit the annual increases in general fund revenues for the state, counties, and cities at the rate of inflation plus the rate of growth of population. Funds in excess of the limit would be used to reduce property taxes. More…..

Budget Suggestions for 2010 (July 17)
MRSC's Budget Suggestions for 2010 , Information Bulletin No. 533, is now available online. It contains budget calendars for cities and counties; summaries of 2009 legislation; revenue and inflation forecasts; and articles for those interested in city and county financial issues.

Trimming Benefits (July 15)
Government employee benefits are becoming a casualty of the nation's economic battles. More from American City & County.

Leadership during Difficult Budget Times (June 24)
With the financial crisis and the resulting global economic downturn, nearly every police agency is affected by budget cuts, and nearly every executive is faced with difficult choices. More from The Police Chief.

Facts and Findings on Foreclosures, Families, and Communities (June 24)
A new report from the Urban Institute, The Impacts of Foreclosures on Families and Communities, details what is known about how foreclosures adversely affect households and their neighborhoods — from children and the elderly to public safety and local property tax revenues.

Government Benefits Comparison Tool (June 24)
The Center for State and Local Government Excellence and the Government Finance Officers Association have partnered on a new free tool that provides detailed health care and pension data on the typical benefits cities and counties offer their retirees, and how they pay or plan to pay for these benefits.

Local Governments Oppose Bill to Ban Higher Cell Phone Taxes (June 17)
NLC weighed in this week on legislation that would establish a five-year moratorium on new or increased taxes on wireless telecommunications infrastructure and services. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

Squeezing the Cops (June 17)
You thought police were safe from budget cuts? So did they. More from Governing.

Who Should Fix the Potholes? (June 10)
Sometimes it saves money to outsource government work. But don’t assume that. More from Governing.

Cash Flow (June 10)
With little help from the stimulus package, water officials continue searching for long-term funding. More from American City & County.

Investing in Outcomes (June 10)
Performance-based contracts aim to measure the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of government-funded programs. More from Governing.

Click for Property Tax Info (June 10)
Up until 1996, the federal government provided local property tax information from across the country. Starting June 8, a partnership restored the service by launching an online property tax database.

Web Sightings - Intergovernmental Cooperation and Regionalism (June 03)
This month we’ve selected a few resources on a topic of continuing interest, especially as local governments seek to stretch their limited resources and develop innovative partnerships in challenging economic times:

• MRSC Web page on Intergovernmental Cooperation - This is a great starting point for information and includes interlocal cooperation in parks and recreation, public works, fire, police, and other areas.
• Local Governments Posting Interlocal Agreements on the Internet - MRSC Web page
• Regionalism, Restructuring Local Government - Cornell University Department of City and Regional Planning
• ICMA Web page on Regionalism - Includes local government innovations, sample government documents, reports and awards
• Alliance for Regional Stewardship - National network of regional leaders working across boundaries to solve community problems
• National Association of Regional Councils - Advocates for regional cooperation to address a variety of community planning and development issues
• Regional Communities Blog - Compilation of news links for communities pursuing local and regional development.
• Western Governors Association - Addresses important policy and governance issues in the West and promotes shared development of solutions to regional problems

See-Thru Government (June 03)
When it comes to spending taxpayer dollars, how much transparency is enough? More from Governing.

Time to Thoughtfully Challenge the Status Quo (June 03)
Traditional local budgeting strategies, although relatively easy to implement, are failing to adequately address the fiscal needs of local jurisdictions. More from Public Management.

The Devil ... and Angels in the Details of Obama’s FY10 Budget (May 27)
President Barack Obama submitted his detailed budget to Congress earlier this month. NACo legislative staff provides a synopsis of the details. More from NACo's County News.

Regional Cooperation: A Pathway to Economic Recovery (May 27)
Regional cooperation is a proven way to reduce costs, increase economic competitiveness, manage development impacts and create new opportunities and synergies between communities. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

MRSC's In Focus e-Newsletter for Councilmembers and Commissioners (May 20)
MRSC's bi-weekly In Focus e-newsletter is an excellent way for your elected officials to stay informed about the latest news, research, events and trends affecting Washington city and county governments. Sign them up today.

HUD Releases Plan for $980 Million In Stimulus Block Grants (May 13)
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced how it will divide $980 million that the economic-stimulus legislation—the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—provided for Community Development Block Grants. More from Architectural Record.

Why the Shovels Matter (May 13)
The state and local governments that are going to benefit from the stimulus package the most—the ones that will get the most bang for the buck and move their economies back to prosperity most quickly—are those that did their strategic thinking long ago. More from Governing.

Find Me the Money (May 13)
Desperate for cash, states and localities are imposing fees in ever more creative ways. More from Governing.

Identity Theft Red Flag Rules Delayed Until August 1 (May 13)
The Federal Trade Commission will begin enforcement of the 'red flags' rule requiring creditors and financial institutions to have identity theft prevention programs on August 1, 2009. For more information, see FTC News Release of April 30, 2009 and MRSC's "Identity Theft Red Flags Rules" Web Page.

Green Loans Improve Energy Efficiency, Local Economies (May 06)
For savvy homeowners ready to improve the energy efficiency of their homes but hesitant to make the investment in today’s troubled economy, HELP is on the way. More from NACo's County News.

Broadband — at Any Price (May 06)
Small cities are eyeing stimulus money to bring high-speed Internet to all. More from Governing.

New Century Infrastructure: Where’s the Plan??? (April 30)
The United States desperately requires a forward-looking plan for 21st century infrastructure that can support and sustain renewed economic growth and accommodate 100 million more Americans over the next 40 years. More from Citiwire.

Port Privatization Trend Growing (April 30)
More ports looking to public-private partnerships to fund improvements and expansion. More from the Reason Foundation.

Celebrating 75 Years of Research and Services! (April 23)
MRSC proudly continues the program begun as the Bureau of Governmental Research and Services in 1934 at the University of Washington. In honor of our organization’s 75th anniversary, we hope that you will enjoy a multimedia slideshow containing highlights of our history. Also see “Twenty-Five Years of Governmental Research and Service” prepared in honor of the Bureau’s 25th anniversary in 1959.

GASB Issues New Accounting, Financial Reporting Standards (April 22)
The Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has issued new standards of accounting and financial reporting that will affect all counties and are intended to improve the clarity and consistency of the fund balance information provided to financial report users. More from NACo's County News.

Uneven Stimulus (April 22)
The feds are dumping piles of stimulus dollars on all 50 states, but when you look behind the 11-digit numbers, some interesting disparities emerge. More from Governing.

Digging for Dollars (April 22)
When it comes to stimulus money for new projects, fortune favors the prepared city. More from Governing.

The Pain of Cutting Payroll (April 22)
Whacked by budget deficits and with no end to sluggish economies in sight, states, cities and counties have been forced to make the hardest cuts of all — workforce reductions. More from Governing.

MRSC Blog: Selected Local Government Press Releases (April 22)
We have launched our blog containing selected local government press releases to keep you informed on new Washington local government programs and initiatives. Each entry is assigned a category (finance, planning, etc.) and a tag (wetlands, urban forestry, etc.) so you can sort them by topic. If you have not already done so, please add blog@mrsc.org to your agency's press release distribution list.

Small Public Works Roster Limits Raised (April 15)
Governor Gregoire has signed HB 1196 (Chapter 74, 2009 Laws), raising the maximum dollar amount allowed for use of a small works roster process (RCW 39.04.155) from $200,000 to $300,000, effective July 26th, 2009. In addition the dollar amount requiring notification of all contractors on the roster (see RCW 39.04.155 (2c)) has also been changed - from between $100,000 and $200,000 to between $150,000 and $300,000.

Brookings Report Assesses Impacts of Stimulus Spending (April 15)
A new Brookings report, Metro Potential in ARRA: An Early Assessment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provides an initial overview of the intent, approach, and content of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) from the point of view of metropolitan America.

Fund Balance: New and Improved (April 08)
Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No.54, issued in February 2009, will not affect the calculation of fund balance, but will fundamentally alter the various components used to report it. More from Government Finance Review.

O Citizen, Where Art Thou? (April 08)
Getting public input into the budget-writing process sounds easier than it is. More from Governing.

Managing Your Budget: Making Tough Decisions in Tough Times (April 08)
For managers, the challenge is to estimate accurately the relationship between two independent resource streams—revenues and expenditures—for their local governments. More from Public Management.

Getting Ready for Build America Bonds (March 26)
There's a new tool for financial officials and managers to master. More from Governing.

Recession Squeezes Recycling programs (March 26)
The recession has trashed the nation's booming recycling industry in just a few months, and cities are straining to keep their programs alive. More from CNN.

Sharing the Pension Pain (March 26)
Public officials have been slow to react to the changing landscape in pension finance, and it's imperative that they wake up and smell the coffee soon, especially those who are involved in labor negotiations. More from Governing.

Message to President Obama: Don't Forget the Suburbs (March 26)
American suburbs are increasingly diverse places and the economic engines that drive metropolitan areas, which are the key to the nation’s prosperity. More from Citiwire.

What the Stimulus Bill Really Means for Cities (March 26)
President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contains an abundance of funding figures that should make urban enthusiasts very happy. More from Next American City.

The Dying Auto Mall (March 26)
Over the past two decades, the funding of local government has become increasingly intertwined with the sale of cars. More from Governing.

Taking on the Sacred Cows (March 18)
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing some new math when it comes to pensions for first responders. More from Governing.

Tackling Taxophobia (March 18)
We can’t keep pretending tax increases are a fatal disease. More from Governing.

Goodnight Computer (March 18)
Turning a computer off can slash its energy use, but most government workers prefer to leave their machines on all night. States are trying to change that. More from Governing.

A Ghostly Commercial Sprawl Drains Municipal Funds (March 18)
Empty offices, malls, and factories blight U.S. communities just when they most need commercial real estate revenues the sites once provided. More from Business Week.

Crisis as Opportunity (March 18)
The economic crisis could be the chance of a lifetime to reform government. More from Governing.

A Time for Strings (March 11)
We need to stimulate state and local economies. We also need to keep close watch on what we’re stimulating. More from Governing.

Stimulus Controls Vital But What About Results? (March 04)
In the battle against bad projects, bad practices or bureaucratic delay, governors and mayors know they’ll be on the hot spot to deliver a quality performance when dealing with the billions of dollars in the Obama administration stimulus projects. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

Broadband Provisions in Federal Stimulus Bill (March 04)
Grants through the broadband stimulus bill can potentially bring significant job creation and other economic benefits to small towns and rural communities. However, few of these benefits will reach full fruition if you don't pay attention to D.C. during the next 30 days. More from consultant Craig Settles.

Recovery.wa.gov (March 04)
The recovery.wa.gov website is designed to help Washingtonians understand the federal economic recovery package and locate information that helps local governments find the right place to apply for funding.

Engaging Residents to Make the Tough Choices (March 04)
Engaging the community in the budgeting process is one way to help make more informed decisions, to strengthen trust with constituents, and to ease some of the political risks that come with budget cuts. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

The Stimulus Hot Seat (February 26)
As the money flows from Washington, state and local government managers need to be proactive about accountability. More from Governing.

No Perfect Performance Measure (February 26)
Don’t go looking for the perfect performance measure. It doesn’t exist. So, start with a good measure or two. Identify their flaws. Be alert for them. You’ll never eliminate all of the flaws. Get over it. More from Bob Behn's Public Management Report.

Stimulus Plan Provides Subsidized Cobra Coverage (February 26)
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known as the “economic stimulus plan” includes a federal subsidy, for up to nine months, of 65% of the cost of COBRA continuation coverage for employees who lose group health insurance coverage between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 due to involuntary termination. More from K&L Gates Compensation and Benefits Alert.

A Break in the Levy (February 26)
Property tax revenue has kept localities solvent in many a recession. It won’t happen this time. More from Governing.

How the Crash Will Reshape America (February 19)
How might various cities and regions fare as the crash of 2008 reverberates into 2009, 2010, and beyond? Which places will be spared the worst pain, and which left permanently scarred? More from The Atlantic.

Unprecedented Economic Crisis Demands Unprecedented Response (February 19)
The deepening economic crisis impacting our country, and more specifically our cities, is the worst we've seen for generations and demands a response in scope beyond anything we could have considered even one year ago. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

NLC Survey: City Fiscal Conditions Continue to Worsen (February 12)
The unprecedented economic conditions facing the nation are increasingly straining the ability of cities to meet their financial needs. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

Gov. Gregoire Unveils New Budget Calculator (February 05)
Governor Chris Gregoire today announced the addition of an interactive budget calculator to her Web site, which will allow citizens the opportunity to develop a state budget.

Investing Public Cash in a 0% Market (February 05)
Now that the Fed has cut the target rate for overnight funds to near-zero, the challenge facing cash managers is how to produce any kind of positive return on taxpayer funds. More from Governing.

Stimulating Main Street (February 05)
Most infrastructure is local. That's where stimulus spending can do the most the quickest. More from Governing.

Navigating the Fiscal Crisis Wiki (February 05)
Within the pages of the Alliance for Innovation's Navigating the Fiscal Crisis Wiki, local government experts are exploring the nature of today’s fiscal crisis and what specific steps can be taken to pursue economic recovery for our communities.

Novices with the Numbers (January 29)
Performance measurement has caught on almost everywhere — except for the schools teaching the next generation of government managers. More from Governing.

Controlling Fuel Costs (January 22)
A large part of the fuel costs incurred by local government comes from police departments. Adopting different policing procedures will assist in controlling these costs during times of economic crisis. More from The Police Chief.

Revenue Revisions (January 15)
States and localities should use the current fiscal trauma to adjust and amend the ways they raise money. More from Governing.

Prudent Privatization (January 15)
Too often the privatization debate is consumed by political rhetoric instead of careful analysis. More from Governing.

States, Cities Spar over Stimulus Money (January 08)
The nation’s cities and counties are asking Obama transition officials to give them most of the infrastructure money from the multibillion-dollar economic stimulus package, setting off a dispute with the states over who can launch transportation projects the fastest. More from Stateline.

Free on Friday (December 18)
Whether it’s to save energy or lure young workers, states and localities are testing the four-day work week. More from Governing.

West Coast Estuaries Initiative for Coastal Watersheds (December 11)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 (EPA) recently issued a competitive grant announcement, soliciting assistance agreement proposals under the region's West Coast Estuaries Initiative. EPA has approximately $2.8 million to award to coastal communities in Oregon, Washington and Alaska. More from the EPA.

Finally a Green Light For Smart Infrastructure? (December 11)
Even as America plunges into recession, a bright shaft of light has appeared.It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity, driven by a popular president-elect, to mount a massive national infrastructure rebuilding program. More from Citwire.

Cutting Benefits: The Wrong Way and the Right Way (December 11)
Although federal aid to state and local governments from the Obama administration seems likely in January, painful cutbacks are inevitable. More from Governing.

Early Warning Signs of Revenue Problems (December 11)
Managers need indicators that anticipate revenue crises with sufficient advance warning that remedial action can be taken. More from ICMA.

Going for an Upturn (December 11)
Faced with stagnant tax revenues and a dwindling jobs base, elected officials — and their appointed economic developers — feel tremendous pressure to do something to turn things around. More from Governing.

Cutting for Excellence (December 11)
Slashing spending offers opportunities for positive change. But a government’s workers need to be part of the process, and they need to know they are being treated fairly. More from Governing.

Workers' Compensation Insurance Premiums Increasing by 3 Percent (December 04)
The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) recently announced that premiums for workers’ compensation insurance will go up, on average, 3 percent in 2009. More from L & I.

IRS Announces 2009 Standard Mileage Rates (December 04)
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2009, the IRS standard mileage rate for the use of a car will be 55 cents per mile for business miles driven. More from the IRS.

In an Epic Fiscal Storm, New Strategies Sprout (December 04)
The recession is driving America’s city governments into an epic fiscal storm. Unlike earlier downturns, all three big revenue sources income, property and sales taxes are falling together. More from Citiwire.

Legislating-for-Results Municipal Action Guides (December 04)
The Urban Institute and National League of Cities have developed a series of 10 guides for city and county elected officials, and their staffs, to help them obtain and use information about the results of their governments' services. More from The Urban Institute.

GASB Involvement in Performance Measurement Runs into NACo Opposition (November 25)
At a Nov. 14 forum in Orlando, Fla. NACo voiced its continuing opposition to efforts by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) to issue standards or guidance on performance measurement. More from NACo's County News.

Help the SAO Design their New Web Site (November 25)
The Washington State Auditor’s Office (SAO) is revamping their Web site. They are asking citizens, audit clients and interested parties to to provide feedback on the usability of their existing Web site and suggestions for their new Web site.

Hey, Big Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (November 25)
There are strong arguments to make that state and local governments need financial aid from Uncle Sam. More from Governing.

Broken Benefits Promises? (November 20)
Will public employers be able to actually afford their past promises for retiree health care? They need to conduct a formal sustainability audit. More from Governing.

Local Services Feel the Squeeze (November 13)
Even as states petition Congress for help with their weakening budgets, localities are worried they may be hit the hardest. More from Governing

All Systems in Distress (November 13)
Even if the Wall Street bailout works, state and local governments will have fiscal problems for a long time. More from Governing.

Putting an End to Pension 'Spiking' (November 07)
When employees game the system by artificially boosting their retirement compensation, taxpayers lose. Here's how to curtail that abuse. More from Governing.

Local Governments Gear Up to Deal with Economic Downturn (October 30)
Local government economic struggles mirror those of the nation, according to a quick poll conducted by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) in September. More from ICMA.

Fiscal First Aid (October 30)
In an environment where many local governments are feeling financial pressure, minor structural imbalances that were manageable in the past may now manifest as a financial crisis. More from Government Finance Review.

Feds, States, Cities: In One Fiscal Boat (October 16)
For many years, official Washington — its own “echo chamber,” as some say — has been ignoring the financial needs and prospects of state and local governments. That era is now coming to a crashing end. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

Beyond Bailout: Reinvesting In "U.S." (October 09)
With the Wall Street mortgage meltdown so massive its costs could reach toward $1 trillion, where’s the economic plan to rebuild America’s cities and infrastructure, to retool our businesses and people for a risky century? More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

Washington’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $8.55 (October 02)
Washington’s minimum wage will increase 48 cents to $8.55 an hour beginning Jan. 1, 2009. More from L & I News.

Good Question! (October 02)
Regular users of this site know that we feature an "inquiry of the week" on the MRSC home page (see right-hand column). We have now incorporated a compilation of these questions and responses into the MRSC Index. The MRSC Index is a one-stop listing of all web pages, documents and inquiries that we have on any given topic. Browse the index by topic or search it by keyword.

Local Government Budget Library (October 02)
MRSC maintains an extensive collection of local government budgets organized by city, county and special purpose districts. We also link to online budgets (along with other documents and services) within the profiles that we maintain for each city and county.

The Increase in the Implicit Price Deflator (IPD) from July 2007 to July 2008 Is 4.527 Percent (September 22)

This means, for most jurisdictions, that the maximum allowable levy increase for 2009 is 1 percent of the 2008 levy (plus taxes on new construction and the change in the value of state-assessed utility property).

The July implicit price deflator for personal consumption expenditures has been published by the Department of Commerce in the September issue of the Survey of Current Business. It is 123.081. This represents a 4.527 percent increase over the revised July 2007 index number of 117.751.

Here is the math. Divide the July 2008 index (123.081) by the July 2007 index (117.751). Subtract 1 and multiply by 100. The result is 4.527 percent. This number will not be official, however, until you receive your notification from the Department of Revenue.

The fact that the increase is greater than one percent comes as no surprise. The data we had (through April 2008) when we published Budget Suggestions for 2009 suggested that the increase would be around 3.2 percent. A small portion of the difference between 4.527 and 3.2 percent is attributable to the annual revision that the Bureau of Economic Analysis does every June. The remainder, however, comes from large increases, over the previous year, in the June and July index numbers.

Information on the statutes that inform property tax levy increases is given below.

RCW 84.55.010 allows a taxing district to levy an amount equal to its highest allowable levy in the most recent three years times a "limit factor." (WAC 458-19-020 says the base year is the highest amount that could have been lawfully levied since 1985 for 1986 collection.) For most taxing jurisdictions, this will be the 2007 levy.

The "limit factor" is set out in RCW 84.55.005. For taxing jurisdictions with a population of under 10,000, Initiative 747 sets the limit factor at 101 percent. For those with a population of 10,000 or more, the limit factor is the lesser of 101 percent or 100 percent plus "inflation." "Inflation" is measured by the increase in the implicit price deflator for personal consumption expenditures for the most recent twelve months, ending in July. Since, for this year, the latter measure produces a figure of 102.084 and that is greater than 101 percent, the limit factor for the 2008 levy is 101 percent. To put it a different way, the maximum allowable increase is 1 percent of the highest allowable levy that could have been levied in 1985 for 1986 collections.

Exceptions:

• Some jurisdictions have "banked" capacity. If they choose to use it, their levy increase will be more than 1 percent.
• Some jurisdictions are at their maximum statutory tax rate. They cannot increase their levy at all except for taxes on new construction and changes in the value of state-assessed utility property.
• Some jurisdictions are so close to their maximum statutory tax rate that they will be able to raise their levy by only a portion of 1 percent.

City Fiscal Conditions Take a Turn for the Worse (September 18)
The National League of Cities recently released their City Fiscal Conditions in 2008 report, which finds a troubling combination of developments that will likely affect the financial health of cities over the next several years. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

GASB Requests Response on Proposed Performance Reporting Guidelines (September 11)
The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has issued a Request for Response on Suggested Guidelines for Voluntary Reporting of Service Efforts and Accomplishments (SEA) Performance Information. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

Trends in Performance Measurement and Management Practices (September 11)
An increasing number of governments are using performance measurement and management practices, and these initiatives have broader stakeholder involvement than in the past. More from Government Finance Review (1.5 PDF).

The Foreclosure Credit Storm and Cities (September 11)
The most visible impacts on cities and towns of the foreclosure crisis have been boarded up neighborhoods and sharp declines in property tax revenues. But the credit meltdown of financial institutions has had less visible, but more serious impacts for city finances. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

New Feature - National News Clippings (September 04)
We've added a new feature to our "Local Governments in the News" section below. Now, in addition to our regular local news source clippings, we will also be featuring news clippings from various national news sources highlighting current events, trends and other news affecting Washington city and county governments and special districts.

Cities in a State of Rapid Decay (August 19)
While the mortgage crisis has hit hard in California and other prosperous regions, the cities that are sliding fastest into decline are still in the Rust Belt, with disappearing populations and bleak job prospects. More from Forbes.

Soaring Gas Prices Fuel Four-Day Weeks (August 19)
With the cost of regular unleaded gasoline eclipsing $4 a gallon, some cities and counties are offering employees four-day workweek schedules to reduce fuel consumption. More from American City & County.

Making Sense (August 19)
Many state and local officials struggle to communicate the business of government to residents, particularly when presenting information about how taxpayers' money is allocated and spent. More from American City & County.

In Focus for Councilmembers and Commissioners (August 19)
MRSC's bi-weekly In Focus e-newsletter is an excellent way for your elected officials to stay informed about the latest news, research, events and trends affecting Washington city and county governments. Forward a copy of this newsletter to your elected officials or sign them up today.

Financing Alternatives Comparison Tool (August 07)
The Environmental Protection Agency's "Financing Alternatives Comparison Tool" is a a free financial analysis tool that helps identify the most cost effective method to fund a wastewater or drinking water management project. More from the EPA.

Lodging Tax Reporting Forms Available (August 07)
SHB 3206, which passed during the 2008 legislative session, made several changes to previous legislation requiring cities to complete reporting forms about lodging taxes. More from AWC.

When It’s Time to Cut (August 07)
How do you keep public employees optimistic and productive when budget surgery brings staff reductions? There are ways. More from Governing.

Budget Suggestions for 2009 (July 18)
MRSC's Budget Suggestions for 2009 ( 1.2 MB), MRSC Information Bulletin No. 531, is now available online. It contains budget calendars for cities and counties; summaries of 2008 legislation; revenue and inflation forecasts; and articles for those interested in city and county financial issues.

The Cracks are Showing (July 17)
America’s tradition of bold national projects has dwindled. With the country’s infrastructure crumbling, it is time to revive it. More from The Economist.

Financial Insight: Key for Tough Times (July 17)
Knowledge is power: State and local officials are handicapped by their lack of good financial data. More from Management Insights.

Soaring Fuel Costs Draining Government Budgets (July 17)
With soaring fuel costs, local government budgets are being gouged and concerns of negatively impacting service levels are at the forefront of our daily operations. More from the Alliance for Innovation Newsletter.

Quick Links to City/County Information (July 17)
MRSC recently expanded the types of key documents (e.g., budgets and comp plans) and services (e.g., council broadcasts and online service request forms) that we track in our "city profiles" page. Use these profiles for quick access to city and town documents and services. For county information, see our "county profiles" page.

Official 2008 Population Figures Released by OFM (July 03)
The population figures used for distribution of state-shared revenues were released by the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) on June 30. Detailed information on population estimates for cities, towns and counties may be found on OFM's Official April 1, 2008 Population Estimates Web page.

The Super Sleuth (June 26)
It isn’t all about "gotcha." An auditor can be a positive force in helping a city improve its systems and responsiveness. More from Governing.

IRS Increases Mileage Rates through Dec. 31, 2008 (June 26)
The Internal Revenue Service recently announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2008. The rate will increase from 50.5 cents to 58.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2008. More from the IRS.

Expectations for Performance Audits (June 12)
There is a key difference between auditing finances and auditing performance. More from Bob Behn's Public Management Report.

Fat Pensions Spell Doom for Many Cities (June 05)
Vallejo, Calif., took the extreme step of filing for bankruptcy to get out of generous obligations to public employees. Other cities and states are watching. More from CNN Money.

The Finance Officer’s Role in Capital Projects (June 05)
In assuming a greater responsibility or project leadership, the finance officer can help position the local government to consistently make decisions aligned with overall goals and objectives. More from Government Finance Review.

Crunching Numbers (May 29)
With residents routinely demanding information about how their tax dollars are used, local governments are searching for ways to effectively account for and report finances. Used wisely, business intelligence (BI) software can help cities and counties more accurately show financial plans. More from American City & County.

Gas Price Spike Hits County Budgets Hard (May 23)
This spring’s spike in gas prices is wreaking havoc on many county budgets at a time when revenues continue to shrink as a result of the housing and foreclosure crisis, and decreased investment earnings. More from NACo's County News.

Receive RSS Feeds of In Focus (May 23)
We’ve added another option for you to receive information from MRSC: RSS Feeds. Simply click on the RSS button to create an “MRSC In Focus” folder in your email program or RSS reader. You will automatically begin receiving updates to our main Focus page, “Local Governments in the News,” the four Advisor columns, and our “What’s New” section. You can unsubscribe at any time by simply deleting the folder from your RSS reader or email program.

Podcasts Feature Municipal Market Commentary (May 15)
MuniMarket PulseTM,is a series of podcasts featuring interviews with a variety of leading professionals in the municipal bond industry, who share their perspectives on the market and controversial issues.

Employee Benefits in State and Local Governments (May 15)
The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics National Compensation Survey: Employee Benefits in State and Local Government, September 2007, is the first release of data on benefits in state and local government since 1998.

Two Faces of Foreclosure (April 23)
Mortgage meltdown is a problem everywhere. In some places, it’s a disaster. More from Governing.

The Potholes of Performance Management Technology (April 23)
Performance management technology can greatly improve access to the vast amounts of operational data available to local governments. It is necessary, however, to anticipate and avoid a number of potential problems. More from Government Finance Review.

Muni Machinations (April 09)
The feds would like more control over the state and local bond market. The bond issuers don’t want them to have it. More from Governing.

Reduction in New Housing Starts Adversely Affects Local Governments (April 09)
More than a loss of property tax revenue due to foreclosures, an ICMA survey shows that reductions in new housing starts are adversely affecting local governments. More from ICMA.

Our Aging Infrastructure: Voices For Change Mount Quickly (March 27)
The infrastructure issue — the long shadow thrown across America’s future by deteriorating roadways, bridges, railroads, water systems and schools — finally seems to be getting hot. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

The Cost of Clean Streams (March 27)
Across the country, local officials facing rising costs to satisfy federal requirements for controlling stormwater runoff are searching for ways to fund the costly measures. More from American City & County.

Locate Sample Ordinances, Contracts, RFPs (March 13)
You can use MRSC's search system to locate a wide variety of local government documents. Note the new options to the right of your search results that allow you to limit your results by agency type, population range, region, form and class of government. Watch a brief tutorial to learn more about using our advanced search features.

A Time of Testing (March 13)
The municipal bond market is dealing with uncertain times — not of its own making. More from Governing.

Public Sector Must Pay, Stay Competitive (March 06)
To explain the differences in public and private sector compensation, it's important to dig beneath the surface. More from ICMA.

Stemming Foreclosures: No Time to Lose (February 27)
What can America’s cities do about the tsunami of home foreclosures engulfing so many communities? More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

Benchmarking Fleet Operations (February 27)
One of the most common areas to benchmark within any government involves fleet accidents and incidents. More from the Public Entity Risk Institute.

Miles to Go (February 27)
Higher prices are driving fleet managers to extend truck life. More from American City & County.

Little Good News for Cities in President's Budget (February 14)
While there were increases for defense spending and the extension of tax cuts in the $3.1 trillion proposal, there was little good news for cities in the President's fiscal year 2009 budget proposal. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

Improving Government Practices without Breaking the Bank (February 14)
These commonsense reforms prove that the perceived dilemma of having to choose higher taxes, service and staff cuts, or the politics of privatization is a false one. More from Governing.

Downgrading Spells Trouble for Muni Bonds (February 14)
Just as governments across the nation are facing declining revenues and increasing demands for services and infrastructure improvements, one of their major sources of revenue may be in jeopardy. More from NACo's County News.

Management - Efficiency is a Ratio (February 07)
Efficiency is a ratio with not only a denominator for costs but also a numerator for results. Unfortunately, it is much easier to measure the denominator of the efficiency ratio than it is to measure the numerator. More from Bob Behn's Management Report.

The State of the Union — Crumbling (January 24)
America's infrastructure is struggling, but from where will the funding and political will come to fix it? More from Stateline.

Parks & Recreation - Short Courses in Success (January 24)
Successful golf courses exceed standards for customer service and atmosphere. More from Parks & Recreation.

The Hidden Tax (January 17)
When the collection of revenue is too convenient, it can lead to consequences that may or may not be intended. More from Governing.

For Whom the Road Tolls (January 17)
Here's a new way to create political support for congestion pricing on urban freeways: distribute the toll revenue to cities with the tolled freeways. More from Access.

Capital Planning for Resiliency (January 09)
Capital planning is central to enhancing a locality’s resiliency to extreme events — be they natural or an-made. More from Government Finance Review.

Home Foreclosures and the Local Government Tax Base (December 20)
A new report from The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL),estimates the monetary value of the losses resulting from the subprime mortgage crisis in terms of lower property value and a reduced tax base for local governments. More from CRL.

Targeted Watershed Grants 2008 Puget Sound Initiative (December 20)
U.S. EPA Region 10 is soliciting proposals to support the protection and restoration of high valued Puget Sound aquatic resources in areas threatened by growth pressure through holistic watershed protection and management approaches. More from EPA.

Justice Information Grant Opportunity - Call for Proposals (December 20)
Washington local government agencies are invited to submit proposals for grants available through the National Criminal History Improvement Program. Proposals must be submitted to Justice Information Network Program Manager, Mo West no later than 5pm Wednesday, January 9, 2008.

Workers’ Comp Rates will Increase 3.2 Percent (December 20)
The Washington Department of Labor & Industries recently adopted workers’ compensation rates for 2008, increasing premiums by an average of 3.2 percent next year. More from L&I.

I-747 Reinstated (November 30)
During a one-day special session, the Washington Legislature approved House Bill 2416, as requested by Governor Gregoire, reinstating the provisions of Initiative 747 retroactively to 2002, restoring the 1% limit on property tax increases. The Governor signed the legislation Thursday night making it effective immediately.

Unreconstructed (November 28)
States are poised to spend billions on fixing infrastructure. They might want to fix the construction industry first. More from Governing.

Finance - Going after GASB (November 20)
Many public finance officials worry that a series of new accounting rules from the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) will burst their budgets. More from Governing.

Supercharging the Long-Term Financial Planning Process (November 06)
The City of San Clemente, CA, found that revitalizing an already successful long-term financial planning process to be a valuable exercise in improving the city’s current and projected fiscal health. More from Government Finance Review. ( 8.31 MB)

Build, Crumble and Build More (October 31)
Why don’t we fix old roads and bridges? Because it’s more fun to make new ones. More from Governing.

City Finances OK for Now; Storm Clouds Ahead (October 23)
The fiscal condition of the nation’s cities improved in the past year, according to a new report released last week by the National League of Cities. The picture for 2008 is less optimistic with city officials predicting a slowdown in revenues and increased spending pressures. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

Transportation Finance at the Ballot Box (October 23)
A recent report from the Center for Transportation Excellence (CFTE) shows that since 2000, few issues have proved to be as consistent a winner at the ballot box as measures related to transportation. More from CFTE.

The Road to Financial Sustainability: Planning Challenges (October 23)
Long-term financial planning is a vital discipline for creating and maintaining financial sustainability, but there are many challenges to overcome along the way. More from Government Finance Review. (2312 KB)

Federal Aid to State and Local Governments (October 23)
The U.S. Census Bureau recently released their Federal Aid to States for Fiscal Year 2005 (1321 KB) report containing federal agency and program-level data on grants to state and local governments.

Watershed Protection Protection Grants (October 23)
The Catalog of Federal Funding Sources for Watershed Protection Web site is a searchable database of financial assistance sources (grants, loans, cost-sharing) available to fund a variety of watershed protection projects.

Cities Change Course on Golf Operations (October 23)
A recent decrease in the number of rounds played — a key barometer in determining golf course profitability — has some municipalities searching for ways to bring golfers back, alternative uses for the land, or private companies to take over the property. More from American City & County.

Overcoming the Police Shortage (October 17)
It's time to think about a new way to compensate police officers by sweetening the pot with higher salaries and more realistic retirement benefits. More from Governing.

The $3 Trillion Challenge (October 10)
No one knows much about how public pension funds are governed or who’s governing them. It’s about time we did. More from Governing.

Counties Eye Outcome of Key Ballot Measures (October 03)
2007 is an off-year for initiatives and referendums in most states, but voters in the Pacific Northwest will consider several ballot measures on Nov. 6 that will affect counties — positively and negatively. More from NACo's County News.

Performance Measurement - Visual Effects (October 03)
Using graphics to present performance data can help make the case for policy or budget changes. More from Governing.

Washington’s Minimum Wage to Increase on Jan. 1 (October 03)
Washington’s minimum wage will increase 14 cents to $8.07 an hour beginning Jan. 1, 2008. More from L&I News.

Energy Efficiency Creates a More Sustainable Bottom Line (October 03)
An obvious starting point for local governments’ energy efficiency efforts is their own buildings. More from Public Management.

Up to $72 million available for EPA Brownfields Grants (September 19)
The EPA recently released proposed guidelines for submitting proposals for 2008 Brownfields Grants to mitigate and redevelop sites contaminated by petroleum, hazardous substances and other contaminants. More from NACo's County News.

Increase in the Implicit Price Deflator (IPD) from July 2006 to July 2007 Is 2.084 Percent (September 19)
This means, for most jurisdictions, the maximum allowable levy increase for 2008 is 1 percent of the 2007 levy (plus taxes on new construction and the change in the value of state-assessed utility property) unless the Washington Supreme Court finds Initiative 747 unconstitutional. More.

Energy - Powering Down (August 28)
Can utilities make money on energy efficiency? More from Governing.

Update on LEOFF 2 Pension Rates (August 22)
On pages 40-41 of MRSC's Budget Suggestions for 2008 publication, we have pension rate tables, with a footnote that LEOFF 2 rates would increase from those shown, effective 9/1/2007, due to 2007 legislation. An article in the August 16, 2007 AWC Legislative Bulletin, "LEOFF 2 Board Adopts Supplemental Rate Increase," provides more information on these changes.

Interpreting Local Government Financial Statements (August 01)
Users of local government financial statements typically approach a government’s finances from three different but complementary perspectives: near-term financing situation, financial position, and economic condition. More from Government Finance Review (2.9KB).

GASB Gone Too Far? (August 01)
In May, Texas passed a law blocking the Norwalk, Conn.-based Governmental Accounting Standards Board's (GASB) new rule requiring governments to disclose their expected costs for retired workers' health care. More from American City & County.

Budget Suggestions for 2008 (July 30)
MRSC's Budget Suggestions for 2008 (473 KB), MRSC Information Bulletin No. 528, is now available online.

Official 2007 Population Figures Released by OFM (July 18)
The population figures used for distribution of state-shared revenues were released by the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) on June 27. Detailed information on population estimates for cities, towns and counties may be found on OFM's Official April 1, 2007 Population Estimates Web page.

States Seek Alternatives to More Prisons (June 19)
Swelling inmate populations are cutting into state budgets, and lawmakers are exploring new ways to ease overcrowding and save money including grants for local community programs.  More from Stateline.org

Latest Report from Governing's Citizens and Performance Project (June 11)
The latest report, Data-Driven Decisions, shows how various governments are using performance measurement to drive budget decisions.  Performance measurement helps legislators and city council members link budget dollars more closely to results.

2010 Census Local Update of Census Addresses Program (May 30)
The Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) program is a 2010 Decennial Census Program that will provide the opportunity for state, county, local and tribal governments to review and update the Census Bureau’s Master Address File and geographic database for the 2010 Census.

Performance Measurement E-Newsletter (May 23)
The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) recently launched a new free monthly e-newsletter on performance measurement. More from ICMA.

Lassoing GASB 45 (May 15)
Texas is leading a charge to get rid of the accounting rule that forces states and localities to tally the future costs of health benefits for retirees. More from Governing.

Your Budget: From Axe to Aim (May 09)
Budgeting for outcomes (BFO) is a budget process that aligns resources with results produced. Instead of starting with the previous year’s budget and justifying increases from that base, BFO starts with a set of results and encourages creative ways of achieving them. More from Public Management.

The Disability Dilemma (May 01)
Police officers and firefighters injured in the line of duty receive generous benefits. Can localities afford to keep paying for them? More from Governing.

Great GASB? (April 24)
The Governmental Accounting Standards Board takes another step on a controversial plan to incorporate states' performance data. Now critics are calling for the end of GASB altogether. More from Governing.

GIS Payback Figures (April 10)
Instead of building separate geospatial information systems (GIS) for different departments, many local governments develop single systems to serve all departments. More from American City & County.

Public/Private Development (March 13)
Public/private partnerships have become a favored strategy for implementing complex urban developments, but the large volume of literature on the topic falls short of providing city planners, development experts, and policy analysts the knowledge needed for either teaching or practice. More from the Journal of the American Planning Association (1172KB).

Numbers, Crunched (March 13)
If budgets are financial plans, then Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFRs) tell you what happened to the plan. So why don’t more people pay attention to them? More from Governing.

Updated IRS Instructions for Federal Telephone Tax Refund (March 07)
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced that it would stop collecting the federal tax on long distance and bundled telephone services and that instructions for refunds would be issued. For many local governments, this announcement was a "non-event" because they had long ago filed certificates with their telephone service providers, claiming an exemption. However, if your jurisdiction was paying the tax, you should file for a refund. More

IRS Taxable Fringe Benefits Guide (February 22)
The Internal Revenue Service's Taxable Fringe Benefits Guide (382KB) explains which employee fringe benefits related to travel and non-travel issues are taxable and reportable under the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, and procedures.

'Thumbs Down': NACo Verdict on Bush FY08 Budget Proposal (February 14)
President George W. Bush’s FY08 budget, at best, can be characterized as not "county-friendly." More from the National Association of County Officials' (NACo) County News.

President’s Budget Cuts Programs Important to Cities (February 14)
The $2.9 trillion budget for fiscal year 2008 submitted by the President would balance the budget by 2012, and continue to cut taxes, by eliminating or severely reducing billions of dollars in spending for programs critical to the nation’s cities. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

Personnel - Paying for Promises (February 06)
After the shock of the big numbers, states and localities are finding ways to deal with the costs of their retirees’ health care. More from Governing.

Local Governments Benefit by Participation in the 2010 Census (February 06)
The U.S. Census Bureau has begun mailing informational booklets to all state, local and tribal governments asking for their assistance in providing updated addresses for their communities, part of an early, concerted effort to make the 2010 Census as accurate as possible. More from the U.S. Census Bureau.

What's IT Worth? (January 31)
From Wichita, Kan., to Washington, D.C., governments are pressed to prove the value of their information-technology spending. More from American City & County.

Performance Measurement - A Results Battle Royal (January 18)
The Governmental Accounting Standards Board considers urging states to report performance results — and kicks off a slugfest. More from Governing.

Performance Measurement - "Stat" Fever (January 10)
The practice of collecting data to monitor and improve government performance continues to gain momentum and evolve. More from Governing.

Unloading Assets (January 10)
Cities and states are selling off bits and pieces of infrastructure. Is it a sweet deal or a mistake? More from Governing.

State and Metropolitan Area Data Book (January 10)
The 2006 State and Metropolitan Area Data Book (11.7MB), published by the U.S. Census Bureau, offers a convenient summary of statistics on the social and economic structure of the states, metropolitan areas, and micropolitan areas in the United States.

Do You Know What You Own? (January 03)
A surprising number of states and localities don’t have the kind of inventory of their assets that a decent shoe store has. More from Governing.

Pulling in the Money (January 03)
Although collecting outstanding debts can be difficult for local governments that focus primarily on providing services to their communities, some simple steps can dramatically increase the collection rate. More from American City & County.

Puget Sound Regional Competitiveness Indicators (December 28)
The Prosperity Partnership recently published their 2006-2007 Puget Sound Regional Competitiveness Indicators report evaluating our region's comptetitiveness using a set of 20 economic and social indicators. More from the Prosperity Partnership.

Budgeting Technology (December 20)
Governments are seeking technology to streamline the budgeting process. Is corporate performance management (CPM) the solution? More from Government Finance Review (3.7MB).

Preparations Begin for 2010 Census (December 20)
To ensure funding, local governments are gearing up for the 2010 U.S. census, cooperating with local Census Bureau tests and providing updated addresses. More from American City & County.

Transportation - Private Assistance (December 20)
Not since the expansion of railroads in the 19th century has such a horde of international capitalists been so eager to invest in our transportation. More from Governing.

Counties Erase Deficits by Budgeting for Outcomes (December 12)
Snohomish County's "priority-based budgeting" approach bases decisions to fund services or programs on their value to the community, not solely on their cost. More from NACo's County News.

IRS Sets 2007 Standard Mileage Rate at 48.5 Cents per Mile (December 12)
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently set the 2007 standard mileage rate for business use of private vehicles at 48.5 cents per mile, up from the rate of 44.5 cents that was set for 2006. Local governments may (but need not) reimburse employees at 48.5 cents per mile without having to report the reimbursement as taxable income. More from the IRS.

Economics 101: What Travel and Tourism Mean for Your County (November 14)
The American Hotel and Lodging Association reports that tourism is currently the nation’s third largest retail industry, behind automotive and food stores, and one of America's largest employers. More from NACo's County News

Capital Improvement Plans and Budgets Primer (November 08)
A paper from the Lincoln Land Institute, "Capital Improvement Plans and Budgets," ( 257 KB) describes the components of the CIP and budget and then outlines the major steps in the preparation of these documents.

The Role of the Finance Officer in Economic Development (October 25)
The finance officer’s involvement early in the economic development planning process is central to a development program that succeeds both in the short and long term. More from Government Finance Review ( 6.2 MB).

An Exit Strategy for Local Governments (October 17)
What services or subsidies should cities get out of? Ask yourself this question: 'If we were not in this already, would we now go into it?' And if the answer is 'no,' the next question should be: 'How do we get out and how fast?' More from Civic Strategies.

Cities Cautiously Optimistic About Fiscal Health (October 17)
Like the millions of Americans they represent, U.S. cities were able to pay their bills this year, but are concerned about how rising costs will affect their long-term financial stability, according to a report released last week by the National League of Cities. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

Scrutiny by the People (October 11)
Washington State is making a big push to get citizens more involved in the performance auditing process. More from Governing.

Washington Minimum Wage to Increase to $7.93 an Hour Jan. 1 (October 03)
Washington’s minimum wage will increase 30 cents to $7.93 an hour beginning Jan. 1, 2007. More from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.

Brand New Revenue (September 26)
Lucrative naming-rights agreements for sporting venues were once novel approaches to advertising but have become commonplace, opening the way for government agencies to strike similar deals for other facilities. More from American City & County.

Broken Promises, HAVA Requirements Costing Counties Millions (September 26)
Amid the swirl of controversy over electronic voting equipment that many counties are using for the first time this year to comply with the Help America Vote Act, one thing is clear - the technology doesn’t come cheap. More from NACo's County News.

Increase in the Implicit Price Deflator (IPD) from July 2005 to July 2006 Is 3.419 Percent (September 25)
This means, for most jurisdictions, the maximum allowable levy increase for 2007 is 1 percent of the 2006 levy (plus taxes on new construction and the change in the value of state-assessed utility property). More.

Citizen Engagement - Cost of Services (September 20)
Redmond's Fall 2006 Focus publication featuring a "Budget Primer" ( 131kb) that compares the cost in 2000 for things like new aerial ladder trucks, traffic signals, and the cost of an overnight stay in jail, to their cost in 2006, is a simple and effective way to communicate with citizens about the cost of local government services.

Fewer Cities Increase Outsourced Services (September 20)
The National League of Cities' 2005 survey of city fiscal conditions found that the percentage of municipalities that have increased the amount of contracted services has been declining steadily, from nearly 29 percent in 1999 to 4.4 percent in 2005. More from American City & County.

Tax Program Seeks Uniform Collection (September 12)
Since 2000, states have been working on the Streamlined Sales Tax (SST) Project to create a uniform set of procedures for businesses to follow to remit sales and use taxes. More from American City & County.

Energy Efficiency Best Practices for Local Governments (September 06)
An energy efficiency "best practices" workbook from the California Local Energy Efficiency Program (CALeep) describes a basic five-step process communities can follow to increase their level of energy efficiency. More from CALeep.

Supreme Court Grants Stay on I-747 Decision (August 24)
On August 18 the Washington State Supreme Court granted a stay of the decision of King County Superior Court Judge Mary Roberts that held that Initiative 747 was unconstitutional, and enjoined the state from enforcement. (A "stay" means that the decision does not go into effect while it is being appealed.) This means that the increase in the regular property taxes levied this November for 2007 is still limited to one percent, plus new construction and increases in state-assessed utility valuations.

The state is appealing the decision to the State Supreme Court, but the timing is such that there will be no ruling before November 30, 2006, the date by which taxing districts must submit their levy requests to their county assessors. If the court upholds the superior court ruling, the limit will be six percent for the levy for 2008. If it overturns the decision, the limit will be one percent. And, somewhere in the mix, there may be legislative action, which could produce a different limit. Stay tuned.

For background on this issue see pages 48 and 49 of Budget Suggestions for 2007.

Public Finance as a Profession (August 22)
Public service is demanding,difficult work. For most practitioners in the filed,a career in public finance is a conscious choice to serve through skill. More from Public Finance ( 3.4mb).

Annexation and the Fiscal Fate of Cities (August 15)
New research from the Brookings Institution finds that a city's ability to annex land from its surrounding county is a primary determinant of its fiscal health. More from the Brookings Institution.

New Web Page - Initiative 933 (August 01)
Our new I-933 Web page contains information on the proposed "property fairness" initiative, including links to resources posted by proponents and opponents.

The Fine Art of Reporting Results (August 01)
A growing number of localities are experimenting with alternatives to annual financial reports to inform citizens about government performance. More from Governing.

IRS Releases FSLG Toolkit (August 01)
The Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) new "Federal, State, and Local Government Toolkit" includes, among other things, the Public Employer's Tax Guide, Federal-State Reference Guide, Employer's Tax Guide, and the Taxable Fringe Benefits Guide.

Linking Performance Measurements to Customer Expectations (August 01)
The Balanced Scorecard has helped so many organizations to produce positive results that business experts have acknowledged it as one of the best management tools of the 20th Century. More from the Public Entity Risk Institute.

Budget Suggestions for 2007 (July 18)
MRSC's Budget Suggestions for 2007 ( 362kb) is now available.

Official Population Figures Released by OFM (July 13)
The April 1, 2006 population figures (104kb), used for distribution of state-shared revenues, have been released by the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM).

Property Tax Favoritism (July 13)
Property tax regimes and land-use schemes that do not consider — and that effectively hinder — denser development may be obsolete policy, avoiding new realities and favoring a lifestyle possible for fewer of our citizens. More from Governing.

Washington's State and Local Taxes Ranked 29th-Lowest in Country (June 20)
Washington's state and local taxes were the 29th-lowest in the country during Fiscal Year 2004, according to figures just published by the U.S. Census Bureau. More from the Washington State Department of Revenue.

Putting More Blues on the Street (June 13)
Want more police officers but don't have the money? The answer for a growing number of places: some kind of civilian force. More from Civic Strategies.

Web Sightings - Public-Private Partnerships (June 06)
To augment limited public funding resources, local governments are collaborating with private businesses to provide a range of projects, including transportation and parks facilities and economic development activities. The topic for this month's Web Sightings is Public-Private partnerships:

• National Council for Public-Private Partnerships - NCPPP’s mission is to facilitate the formation of public-private partnerships at the federal, state and local levels and to raise the awareness of the means by which their cooperation can provide cost-effective public services and facilities. Includes information on how partnerships work.
• Public Private Partnerships, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation
• Public Private Partnership A Guide for Local Government (Canada), 1999
• Project for Public Spaces, Public/Private Partnerships
• U.S. Conference of Mayors Public-Private Partnership Awards, 2005
• ICMA Program Excellence Awards, includes Community Partnerships category
• King County Partnership for Parks Initiative and "King County receives prestigious public-private partnership award," March 2006
• Seattle Public-Private Partnership Review
• Public-Private Partnerships in Seattle, League of Women Voters, May 2001

Rising Energy Costs Spur County Innovation (June 06)
In response to soaring energy costs, counties have been getting creative in devising ways to cut energy costs in their buildings and vehicles. More from NACo's County News.

Fleet Management - Hybrid Investment (June 06)
Hybrid vehicle sales are soaring despite risks that they may not show expected returns. More from American City & County.

Healthcare Costs - Temperature's Rising (May 16)
The heat is on to find a cure for increasing healthcare costs as many local and state governments struggle to find the funds to cope. More from American City & County.

Retiring with Healthcare (May 16)
It seems inevitable that government retirees will be picking up more of their healthcare costs as soaring expenses, demographic forces and new accounting disclosures compel governments to reassess retiree healthcare benefits. More from American City & County.

OPEB: Coming to Grips with the Cost of Retiree Health Care (May 16)
The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) recently issued new government accounting standards related to "other post-employment benefits" (OPEB). More from Public Management.

Privatization - Short on Oversight (May 10)
States and localities are outsourcing more of their services, but management of the contracts is in dire need of an upgrade. More from Governing.

Financial Management - Raising Revenues (May 10)
Since 2001, half of the nation's cities have raised new revenues to address gaps created by rising employee health care and pension costs, and increases in public safety and infrastructure needs. More from American City & County.

An Introduction to the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (May 02)
The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) is the private, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to create and improve the rules state and local governments follow when accounting for their finances and reporting them to the public. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

County Saves by Buying High-Tech Equipment on eBay (April 26)
St. Louis County, Minn., recently made headlines with a pilot program using eBay to purchase $250,000 worth of communications equipment for its sheriff’s department - for about $20,000. More from NACo's County News.

Analyzing Investments in Bicycle Facilities (April 18)
A recent Transportation Research Board report, Guidelines for Analysis of Investments in Bicycle Facilities, provides methodologies and tools to estimate the cost of various bicycle facilities and for evaluating their potential value and benefits.

Best Practices for Managing Professional Services Contracts (April 12)
A report from the IBM Center for the Business of Government, Effectively Managing Professional Services Contracts: 12 Best Practices (442kb), gleans best practices for managing professional services contracts currently used by successful government managers.

Survey Documents Impact of CDBG Funding Reductions (April 12)
A report by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, Consequences for American Communities (135kb), documents the real-world impact of the recent and dramatic decline in the Community Developemnt Block Grant (CDBG) program's formula allocation.

Who Pays the Property Tax? (April 04)
A critical aspect of the property tax, but one that is rarely addressed in public debate, is its "economic incidence," or who actually bears the burden of the tax, as opposed to its statutory incidence, or who literally pays the tax. More from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.

GASB Changes Rules on Post-Employment Benefits (March 16)
New Governmental Accounting Standards Board's (GASB) guidelines require all local governments to identify and disclose the liability and funding status of any post-retirement benefits they offer. More from NACo's County News.

Financing Infrastructure - The Big Thaw (March 16)
Voters may be coming around to the idea that government needs their money to keep public works up to speed. More from Governing.

Economic Development - Skybox Skeptics (March 16)
It’s getting harder and harder for baseball teams to wangle public money for new stadiums. More from Governing.

Performance Measurement - Plugging In (March 07)
Performance measures are finally being taken out of the box and applied to agency plans and budgets. More from Governing.

Web Sightings - Grant Funding Resources (March 07)
Are you looking for federal or state grants to support local government activities? These sites can help to point you in the right direction:

Federal and General

• MRSC’s page on Grant Resources for Washington Local Governments is a great starting point
• Grants.gov - A portal to access grant funds available through the Federal government
• Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance - Financial and nonfinancial assistance programs administered by the Federal government
• Finding Federal Funding - Information Resource Center, The Finance Project - Emphasis on resources for children, families, and communities
• TGCI (The Grantsmanship Center) Funding Resources - Links to federal, state and community foundation resources

• Grant and Loan Programs in Washington State - MRSC - List of programs by agency
• Infrastructure Funding Source Data Base - Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council (IACC) - A useful resource for locating infrastructure funding or technical assistance in Washington State
• AWC Grant Alert Newsletter - Access to past issues and other grant resources
• Grants Resources for Washington Nonprofits - TGCI (The Grantsmanship Center)

• Parks and Recreation - MRSC
• Economic Development - MRSC
• Housing - MRSC
• Pierce County Environmental Grant Resources
• Transportation – State and Federal Grants and Loans - MRSC

Mad About State Mandates (February 22)
Minnesota's Mandate Reform Proposals Web site gives local government officials a place to vent their frustrations about state mandates they believe are in need of reform or repeal.

Infrastructure - Paying the Price (February 22)
In many communities across the United States, failing or overburdened water and wastewater systems are forcing residents and city officials to reevaluate their commitment to funding capital improvement projects for water and wastewater. More from American City & County.

Tax Statistics 2005 Available on DOR Web Site (February 14)
Tax Statistics 2005, a compilation of state tax collections, has been published online by the Department of Revenue (DOR).

New AGO Issued on Use of Hotel-Motel Tax Revenues (February 08)
The state attorney general's office has issued a formal opinion, AGO 2006 No. 4, that addresses the legality of using hotel-motel tax revenues to fund tourism-related facilities, special events and festivals that are operated by non-governmental entities.

DOT Grants Available for Improving Air Service to Small Communities (February 08)
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is currently accepting applications for grants under the Small Communities Air Service Development Program. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.

DHS Revises First Responder Grant Programs (January 25)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced the availability of funds for FY06 Homeland Security Grant Programs and released new funding guidelines that place a greater emphasis on risk and need in awarding funds. More from NACo's County News.

New Ask MRSC E-newsletter (January 18)
Ask MRSC is a free, subscription-based, monthly e-mail newsletter featuring answers to selected questions received by our consultant staff. It's one more way for you to stay informed on current issues affecting city and county government. View a sample issue or go directly to our subscription page and sign up to receive Ask MRSC today. It's free!

Web Sightings 2005 (January 18)
In case you missed them, here's a look back at 2005's Web Sightings:

• Takings and Property Rights
• Performance Measurement
• Historic Preservation
• Smart Growth
• Parking
• Finding Demographic Information
• Climate Change
• Emergency Management
• Ending Homelessness
• City and County Impact Fees

GFOA's Digital Finance Library (January 18)
The Government Finance Officers Association's (GFOA) digital finance library provides finance professionals with current resources including GFOA research, best practice government finance, links to finance-related data, and links to related organizations.

Let's Outsource the Whole City! (December 15)
Are there limits to what local governments can contract out? We may know soon. An Atlanta suburb has decided to privatize virtually its entire government, and it has turned to a single company (CH2M Hill) to manage everything from tax collection to street maintenance. More from Civic Strategies.

IRS Sets 2006 Standard Mileage Rate at 44.5 Cents per Mile (December 09)
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently set the 2006 standard mileage rate for business use of private vehicles at 44.5 cents per mile, down from the rate of 48.5 cents that was set for the last four months of 2005. Local governments may (but need not) reimburse employees at 44.5 cents per mile without having to report the reimbursement as taxable income. More from the IRS.

New Policy Brief on Block Grants (December 06)
A new Brookings Institution policy brief, "Block Grants: Flexibility vs. Stability in Social Services," reviews from the the history of federal block grants for social services, the academic literature examining block grant outcomes, and recent federal proposals.

No General Increase in 2006 Workers' Compensation Rates (November 22)
The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) recently announced there will be no general increase in workers' compensation premiums for 2006. More from L&I News.

NACo's Grants Clearinghouse: Your Ticket to Federal Grants (November 08)
The National Association of Counties' (NACo) Grants Clearinghouse offers access to current grant opportunities from federal agencies and private foundations for member counties.

The Firefighter's Calculator (November 03)
A new cost-savings calculator by the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Foundation helps fire departments determine the dollar value of their services so they can make the case to legislators and local officials for community funding. More from NVFC.

Cash Management Technology Survey Results (October 25)
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and JPMorgan recently surveyed more than 900 state and local government finance officials about their use of collection and disbursement technologies, online banking services, and fraud prevention tools. More from Government Finance Review (4445kb).

Creating a New Future for a Downsizing Organization (October 25)
Local government executives face more than a financial challenge in cutting budgets. An even bigger dilemma for executives is the leadership challenge of crafting a new and vital future for the downsizing organization. More from Public Management.

DOR Roundtable Meeting to Discuss Strategic Business Plan (October 25)
The State Department of Revenue (DOR) is holding meetings with taxpayer groups to gather input on its strategic business plan. A meeting for cities and counties is set for Friday, November 18 in Olympia. For more information or to RSVP, see the invitation (24kb).

Citizen Priorities for Thurston County Government (October 19)
Through their "Citizen Priorities for Thurston County Government" project, Thurston County hopes to better understand which programs and services county residents most want their county government to concentrate on in the coming years.

IPD Increase from July 2004 to July 2005 is 2.541 Percent (October 05)
The increase in the implicit price deflator (IPD) from July 2004 to July 2005 Is 2.541 percent. This means, for most jurisdictions, the maximum allowable levy increase for 2006 is 1 percent of the 2005 levy (plus taxes on new construction and the change in the value of state-assessed utility property). More from MRSC.

Minimum Wage to Increase to $7.63 an Hour Jan. 1, 2006 (October 05)
Washington's minimum wage will increase 28 cents to $7.63 an hour beginning Jan. 1, 2006. More from the Department of Labor & Industries.

Financial Management - Slimming Down (September 12)
"Lean thinking," is an approach to organizational improvement that helps cities and counties save money by making quick, yet efficient changes. More from American City & County.

Budgeting for Basics: The Changing Landscape of City Finances (August 24)
A new study from the Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program examines the finances of 162 cities from 1977-the year before California's momentous Proposition 13 tax cut sparked a national property tax revolt-to 2000. More from the Brookings Institution.

Fleet Management - Fueling up for Winter (August 16)
While summer is still the best time to purchase energy, buyers should focus on price shopping as early as possible to get the best deals. More from American City & County.

America's Crumbling Infrastructure--And How to Fix It (August 16)
The American Society of Civil Engineers recently judged the country on 15 infrastructure categories and awarded the U.S. an overall grade of "D," estimating that $1.6 trillion needs to be invested in the next five years to solve current and looming infrastructure problems. More from Metropolis Magazine.

Initiative 912 on Fall 2005 Ballot (August 02)
Initiative 912 has qualified for the November 2005 ballot. This measure would repeal a motor vehicle fuel tax rate increase enacted by the 2005 session of the Legislature for state-wide transportation purposes and would reduce funding for many critical state and local transportation projects.

King County Amnesty Program Addresses Illegal Construction (August 01)
Between now and December 31, 2005, King County offers a fee amnesty program for illegal clearing, grading, and construction. The program is intended to encourage owners to complete the permit process by allowing them to avoid paying double permit fees.

New AGO on Responsibility for Medical Costs of Arrestees (July 20)
The Attorney General has issued an opinion (AGO 2005 No. 8) that addresses the financial responsibility of cities and counties for the costs of medical care provided to arrestees after their detainment but before they are booked into jail.

Coming Soon - New Finance Advisor Column (July)
MRSC has joined with Toni Nelson, Small Cities Specialist, State Auditor's Office, Gayla Gjertsen, Finance Director, City of Tumwater, and Mike Bailey, Finance Director, City of Lynnwood, to bring you a new monthly "Finance Advisor" column. MRSC's first Finance Advisor column is coming soon.

Now Available - Budget Suggestions for 2006 (July 18)
MRSC's Budget Suggestions for 2006 (393kb) is now available on our Web site.

Official Population Figures Released by OFM (July 13)
The April 1, 2005 population figures (34kb), used for distribution of state-shared revenues, have been released by the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM).

Finance - Bubble Trouble (July 13)
A puncturing of today’s inflated real estate values would have negative and broadscale effects on local governments. More from Governing.

WSDOT Grants for Local Transportation Projects (July 13)
Communities across the state have an opportunity to enhance their transportation system and improve safety through several grant programs being offered by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). More from WSDOT.

Public Works - Bridge over Troubled Water (July 06)
Despite the absence of federal funding, communities are finding ways to improve their water systems. More from American City & County.

Tax Policies to Help Working Families in Cities (July 06)
The significant link between federal tax policies and the welfare of households in cities should be receiving more attention from urban leaders and federal policy makers. More from the Brookings Institution.

On the Money - Creating Budgets Based on Targeted Results (June 29)
There's a new money game in town — budgeting for outcomes — and several local and state governments say it has helped them reduce deficits, use revenue more effectively and increase taxpayer confidence. More from American City & County.

Financial Management - Speaking Their Minds (June 29)
Some cities and counties are discovering that involving residents early in the budgeting process can lead to numerous benefits, such as increased public trust. More from American City & County.

Unfunded Mandates Drain Local Coffers (June 21)
The Washington-based U.S. Conference of Mayors and other local associations are drafting new legislation that could potentially give state and local governments greater protection from the long arm of federal law. More from American City & County.

Fresh Approaches to Fund Programs for Children and Youth (June 21)
Many municipalities are scrambling to allocate resources to vital services, including those that impact children and youth. More from Nation’s Cities Weekly.

Nursing Budgets over Case of High Fuel Cost (June 21)
Many cities and counties budgeted for higher fuel prices this year. Little did they know the average increase would be 42 percent for gasoline and 57 percent for diesel fuel. More from American City & County.

Bond Measures - Spreading the Word (June 07)
To break through the political advertising clutter and build support for a bond program, cities and counties should consider a grassroots campaign that focuses on how the program will affect residents. More from American City & County.

Local Records Management Grants Program (May 24)
A new funding cycle is opening up for records management grants to local government agencies from the Washington State Archives, featuring a streamlined application process to enable smaller agencies to get access to specific services

Cities Lose Millions as Internet Booking Sites Evade Hotel Taxes (May 09)
As Internet room bookings boomed last year, generating $50 billion, the assets of state, local and municipal governments were drained through an obscure loophole in occupancy (or bed tax) regulations. More from Nation’s Cities Weekly.

Unfunded Mandates - It Pays to Complain (April 25)
A decade after federal lawmakers passed the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) — legislation to curtail unfunded mandates — Congress is re-examining the law. More from American City & County.

Information for B&O Tax Cities (April 19)
Your taxpayers are probably in the midst of filling out their first returns for taxes levied under the model B&O tax ordinance and may have questions about the model or any deviations your city's ordinance might have from the "core" model ordinance. The model ordinance and related information can be found on our B&O Tax page.

Finance - Making the Most of the New Blue Book (April 19)
The 2005 edition of Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting marks the eighth substantial revision in a series that now extends almost 70 years. More from Government Finance Review (168kb).

Tax Statistics 2004 Available on Department of Revenue Web Site (April 15)
Tax Statistics 2004 , a compilation of state tax collections, has been published online by the Department of Revenue (DOR). More from DOR.

Northwest Income Indicators Project (April 06)
Washington State University's Northwest Income Indicators Project Web site offers graphic analysis and summary reports of local area growth focusing on population, personal income, per capita income, employment, industry earnings and average earnings per job.

Web Sightings - Performance Measurement (April 06)
Between Tim Eyman's latest initiative filing and the state legislature's interest, the subject of performance measurement and auditing has been much in the news. You can learn more about measuring the performance of government programs and services at these Web sites:

National Performance Measurement Web Sites

• ICMA Center for Performance Measurement - The Center helps local governments measure, compare, and improve municipal service delivery and administers the Comparative Performance Measurement Program, which assists over 100 cities and counties in the US and Canada.
• Governmental Accounting Standards Board - Performance Measurement for Government - Very comprehensive site addressing results-based reporting and management tools for government.
• National Center for Public Productivity Performance Measurement Manuals - Includes general guides as well as those from federal, state, and local governments.

• Bellevue 2003 Annual Performance Report
• Kent Performance Measurement
• King County Performance Measurement Initiative
• Lynnwood Performance Management System
• Snohomish County SnoStat: Performance Measurement

Performance-Based Contracting (April 06)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Performance-Based Contracting (329kb) focuses on contracting services out to non-governmental organizations and the use of outcome-based performance management techniques to improve the work of nonprofit service providers in New York City.

Community Development Block Grant Awards Announced (March 23)
The Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) recently awarded more than $6.6 million in Community Development Block Grants to 12 cities, towns and counties in the state. More from CTED.

NACo’s Grants Clearinghouse makes Finding Money Easier (March 09)
The National Association of County Officials (NACo) has developed a Grants Clearinghouse to streamline and simplify the grant-seeking process for member counties. More from NACo’s County News.

Privatization - A Balancing Act (March 09)
Contracting out services can benefit the bottom line, but not always. The trick is to figure out when it does and doesn’t. More from Governing.

Cash Management Technology in State and Local Governments (March 09)
How does your government compare to other governments in its use of technologies such as Internet payments, credit cards, electronic data interchange, kiosks, and automatic bank debits? More from the Government Finance Officers Association (324kb).

Information Technology - Spreading out Costs (March 01)
Local government chief financial officers and information technology executives who decide to invest in technology should consider financing, rather than making their purchases with cash. More from American City & County.

City Succeeds in Applying Performance Measurement Data (March 01)
Performance measurement is more than a data-collection and reporting exercise; it's the analysis of the data that truly makes it a tool for continuous service improvement. More from the International City/County Management Association.

Shared-Services in Government (February 24)
The majority of government executives believe that shared services are important to helping them achieve their organizations' strategic goals, according to a study released recently by Accenture. More from Government Technology.

Budget Blowback (February 01)
Some budget processes act as a technology straitjacket, discouraging innovation rather than promoting it. More from Governing.

Cities Strain to Cover Budget Gaps (February 01)
Many American cities are struggling with budget shortfalls. Their financial troubles are likely to get worse if expected cuts are made in domestic federal spending. More from National Public Radio.

Performance-Based Contracting - Promise and Pitfalls (January 26)
Seedco, a nonprofit organization in New York City, has just released The Promise and Pitfalls of Performance-Based Contracting. The report looks at two growing government trends-the contracting out of government services to non-government organizations, and the increased use of performance-based contracts in those situations.

King County Tops Grants Performance Index (January 26)
As an organizational priority, King County, has made pursuing grants an important endeavor as reflected in their top standing on the eCivis grants performance index. More from ICMA.

Finding and Getting Grants: The Basics (January 19)
The National Association of County Official’s latest Hot Topics (114kb) publication focuses on finding and getting grants to support your county's services.

Online Auctions as Tools for Asset Management (January 12)
A report from the Center for the Business of Government, Government Garage Sales: Online Auctions as Tools for Asset Management (4593kb) describes how many government agencies are succeeding at selling both everyday items and high-end goods via online auctions.

Get MRSC Web Site Updates and Quarterly Newsletter by E-mail (January 04)
Subscribe to MRSC's free bi-weekly Web site updates and quarterly newsletter and get all of the latest local government news and information delivered right to your desktop.

Web Sightings - 2004 (January 04)
In case you missed them, here's a look back at 2004's Web Sightings:

• Cottage Housing (December)
• Non-motorized Transportation (November)
• Elections (October)
• Public Art Programs (September)
• Resource Lands (August)
• Healthy Communities (July)
• Terrorism and Homeland Security (June)
• Volunteer Programs (May)
• Citizen Involvement in Local Government (March)
• Downtown Revitalization (February)
• Shoreline Management (January)