Index of Publications
Contents
Order MRSC Publications
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New MRSC Publications
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards, Report No. 63, August 2008 ( 1,556kb)
Budget Suggestions for 2009, Information Bulletin No. 531, August 2008 ( 1,196kb)
Directory of Washington City and Town Officials 2008-09, February 2008
The Open Public Meetings Act - How it Applies to Washington Cities, Counties, and Special Purpose Districts, Report No. 60, May 2008 ( 306kb)
Knowing the Territory - Basic Legal Guidelines for Washington City, County, and Special District Officials, Report No. 47, November 2007 ( 294kb)
Getting into Office: Being Elected or Appointed into Office in Washington Counties, Cities, and Towns, Report No. 62, June 2007 ( 335kb)
Public Records Act for Washington Cities and Counties, Report No. 61, May 2007 ( 713kb)
The Bidding Book for Washington Counties, Report No. 56, March 2007 ( 494kb)
About MRSC Publications
The Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington (MRSC) prepares and publishes manuals, reports, information bulletins, research memoranda, a periodic publication MRSC Research Briefs, and a quarterly newsletter, Municipal Research News, for city, town and county officials in the state of Washington.
These publications are available to Washington State municipal officials for
purchase or on loan from the MRSC Library. To order a publication, please send us an order form ( 90kb) with payment (pre-payment is required for all publication purchases). You can also order online with a credit card.
In order to view or download the following publications in Adobe Acrobat format, you'll need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. The Reader is free, and may be downloaded from the Adobe Web site. Adobe Acrobat retains the original formatting of the publication including fonts and graphics. Some of this formatting is lost in the HTML version of the documents, also listed below.
Current MRSC Publications
- MRSC Information Bulletins, Research Memoranda and Reports - Alphabetically by Title
- MRSC Research Briefs
- Municipal Research News
- Directory of Washington City & Town Officials
If you are not employed by a municipal government, you may purchase the publications from MRSC. To borrow copies contact your local library for assistance.
Accessory Dwelling Units - Issues & Options. Report No. 33, October 1995. $12.00(City/County)/$18.00(All Others). A report to help local officials as they consider proposals to allow ADUs in their communities. Includes discussion of potential benefits, policy issues and options, as well as a discussion of common zoning regulations. Sample ordinance language is included.
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the Web
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 645kb)
Affordable Housing Techniques - A Primer for Local Government Officials. Report No. 22, April 1992. $20.00(City/County)/$30.00(All Others). This report is intended as a primer for local policy makers on land use techniques that other communities in Washington and across the country have implemented to encourage affordable housing. It focuses on a range of regulatory and other affordable housing techniques, providing basic definitions, and highlighting intended benefits and key policy issues.
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Annexation Handbook for Cities and Towns in Washington State. Report No. 19, Revised April 2008. Not for Sale. Addresses the general topic of municipal annexation and provides assistance with the statutory procedures for annexation as well as some recurring legal questions. This version is current with the 2008 RCW.
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The Appearance of Fairness Doctrine in Washington State. Report No. 32, January 1995. $12.00(City/County)/$18.00(All Others). Provides an overview of the appearance of fairness statute, ch. 42.36 RCW, including suggestions for assuring compliance with the law. Contains a section on commonly asked questions, and a summary of cases.
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the Web
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 175kb)
The Bidding Book for Washington Cities and Towns. Report No. 52, September 2006. $20.00(City/County)/$30.00(All Others). This publication is designed to familiarize city officials with competitive bidding requirements, recommended bidding procedures, and public purchasing procedures. Deals only with the requirements that are imposed by the state statutes.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 1,261kb)
The Bidding Book for Washington Counties. Report No. 56, March 2007. $20.00(City/County)/$30.00(All Others). This publication provides an overview of the bidding and purchasing process in Washington counties.
View/Download this publication in Adobe Acrobat ( 494kb)
Budget Suggestions for 2009. Information Bulletin No. 531, August 2008. $12.00(City/County)/$18.00(All Others). 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.
View/Download this publication in Adobe Acrobat ( 1,196kb)
Chief Administrative Officers. Research Memorandum No. 102, July 1986. $3.25. Intended for use by officials in mayor-council municipalities who may be interested in establishing a chief administrative officer (CAO) position by municipalities that have already done so to assist them in evaluating the roles of their CAO.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 3,373kb)
Code City Handbook. Report No. 37, March 1997. $20.00(City/County)/$30.00(All Others). Provides essential information for code city officials and incites their powers, duties, and alternatives that are available under the applicable forms of municipal government.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 298kb)
Contracting for Professional Services in Washington State. Information Bulletin No. 485, April 1994. $35.00. This publication is intended to provide guidance and suggested format for the development of a uniformly consistent and documented professional consultant selection procedure. An index to sample contracts held by MRSC is available on MRSC's home page.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 645kb)
Councilmember's Handbook. Report No. 48, January 2000. $20.00(City/County)/$30.00(All Others). A brief overview of the structure of municipal government in Washington State and the role of the councilmember in that structure. The primary focus is on the council meeting.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 690kb)
Council-Staff Retreats. Research Memorandum No. 103, March 1987. $3.25. Contains a list of written material and copies of several retreat agendas that may be useful in planning and conducting a council-staff retreat.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 1,276kb)
A Debt Primer for Washington's Cities and Towns. Report No. 30, August 1994. $18.00. An introduction to the various aspects of municipal debt financing. Includes chapters on debt limits, debt management policies, bond issues, and the debt issuance process.
Directory of County Officials in Washington State 2008. January 2008. $15.00 (WACO/WSAC Members)/$25.00(Non-Members).
Provides a listing of the names of key county officials, addresses and phone numbers and county statistics. Publication is updated every year. Includes member listings for several associations.
Directory of Washington City and Town Officials 2008-09. February 2008. $20.00(Government)/$45.00(Other).
Provides a comprehensive list of the names and positions of elected officials and key employees of the 281 cities and towns in the state of Washington, including city hall addresses, phone numbers, population, class of government, and much more. This publication is updated every other year following the November general election.
You can also view our Washington City and Town Officials page, which is less comprehensive than the printed directory but is updated more frequently. Visit this page to make sure your information is up to date.
Directory of Washington City and Town Officials 2008-09 Database. $30.00(Government)/$60.00(Other).
The database that is used to create this publication is available in an Excel file. The following city official fields are included: first name, last name, title, city name, address, phone, fax, county, and population. This database is updated frequently. Prices are as follows: $30.00(Government)/$60.00(Other)
Getting into Office: Being Elected or Appointed into Office in Washington Counties, Cities, and Towns. Report No. 62, June 2007. $12.00(City/County)/$18.00(All Others). This publication addresses issues relating to: qualifying and running for elective office in cities, towns, and counties; assuming office vacancies in office; and appointments to fill vacancies.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 335kb)
Governments are from Saturn...Citizens are from Jupiter - Strategies for Reconnecting Citizens and Government. Report No. 42, June 1998. $12.00(City/County)/$18.00(All Others). This publication briefly explores evidence and sources of the growing distrust between government and citizens, and highlights valuable benefits that government provides.
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the Web
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 870kb)
Infill Development - Strategies for Shaping Livable Neighborhoods. Report No. 38, June 1997. $20.00(City/County)/$30.00(All Others). Describes promising strategies and provides examples of programs local jurisdictions can use to encourage infill development. It also provides strategies to make it more feasible for developers to do infill development, and to make infill development more appealing to existing and potential residents.
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the Web
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 1,379kb)
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publication in Adobe Acrobat ( 3,731kb)
Initiative and Referendum Guide for Washington City and Charter Counties. Report No. 28, January 2006. $16.00(City/County)/$24.00(All Others). Reviews the powers of initiative and referendum as they are exercised in cities in the state of Washington. It includes information on how to adopt these powers and which types of municipal activities are subject to these powers.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 306kb)
Knowing the Territory - Basic Legal Guidelines for Washington City, County, and Special District Officials. Report No. 47, November 2007. $16.00(City/County)/$24.00(All Others). Describes the nature, powers and duties of municipal officials for "keeping out of trouble," discusses limitations, regulations, and admonitions regarding the exercise of governmental powers, including conflicts of interest law, the open public meetings act, appearance of fairness doctrine and similar laws. It also points out immunities and protections.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 294kb)
Level of Service Standards - Measures for Maintaining the Quality of Community Life. Report No. 31, September 1994. $20.00(City/County)/$30.00(All Others). Offers help with developing innovative approaches to level of service standards which will deliver quality services in tight budgetary times. Emphasizes approaches which support overall community goals and growth managment efforts. Useful to any community engaged in capital facility planning.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 15,839kb)
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards - Examples, options, and model practices for the effective and efficient use of advisory boards by local governments. Report No. 63, August 2008. $16.00(Local Government)/$24.00(Other).
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 1,556kb)
Local Government Policy-Making Process. Report No. 45, February 1999. $12.00(City/County)/$18.00(All Others). The purposes of this publication are to describe the local government policy-making process, outline effective roles for local officials, and to provide practical tips to make the local policy-making process for satisfying and productive.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 511kb)
Local Ordinances for Washington Cities and Counties. Report No. 50, May 2000. $12.00 (City/County)/$18.00 (All Others). This report has been prepared to assist Washington county, city, and town officials in the drafting and adoption of ordinances, resolutions, motions, and related devices. The report replaces Report No. 15, Local Ordinances: The Drafting, Compilations, Codification, and Revision of Ordinances.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 452kb)
Master Planned Resorts "Washington Style." Report No. 57, May 2003. $20.00 (City/County)/$30.00 (All Others). This guidebook provides suggestions for guiding the development of master planned resorts, and small-scale recreational and tourist uses. These are among the new options available for broadening economic opportunities in rural areas, while respecting traditional rural character.
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Acrobat ( 2.2mb)
MRSC Research Briefs. This publication is published periodically by MRSC and addresses issues of current interest to cities, towns, and counties in Washington State.
Mayor's Handbook. Report No. 44, February 1999. $20.00(City/County)/$30.00(All Others). This handbook is intended to serve as a guide for mayors in Washington cities and towns operating under the mayor-council form of government. There are also materials on issues which directly concern mayors in council-manager cities and all mayor pro tems: presiding over council meetings, conducting public hearings, etc.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 452kb)
Municipal Cooperation Guide. Report No. 27, September 1993. $12.00. Provides an overview of the methods available to cities and towns to cooperate with other governmental units to provide services in the most efficient, Economical manner. It includes review of intergovernmental contracting, regional councils and consolidation.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 3,036kb)
Municipal Incorporation Guide. Report No. 21, July 2006. $8.00 (City/County)/$12.00 (All Others). Designed to assist residents of unincorporated communities in the state to understand the process by which a community can become incorporated as a city or town, and to help a community decide whether to incorporate.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 550kb)
Municipal Research News. Published quarterly.
Municipal Service Delivery in Washington Cities and Towns. Report No. 26, July 1993. $12.00. Reviews the service delivery methods used by Washington cities to deliver 76 municipal services within eight major service categories. This comprehensive inventory provides a means for city officials to compare the services and delivery methods of their city with those of other Washington cities.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 7,263kb)
The New City Guide. Report No. 54, February 2002. $20.00. Designed
to assist newly incorporating cities with the process of establishing
a functioning and viable municipal government.
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on the Web
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publication in Adobe Acrobat (
543kb)
New Commissioner Handbook. Report No. 43, September 1998. $16.00(City/County)/$24.00(All Others). Designed to assist newly elected county commissioners in the state of Washington. The handbook addresses many issues that are specific to the commission form of government; however, elected councilmembers in charter counties will also find sections of the handbook useful.
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the Web
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in Adobe Acrobat (
474kb)
Nuisance Regulation for Washington Cities and Counties. Report No. 49, March 2000. $16.00(City/County)/$24.00(All Others). Provides a basic text that focuses on primary nuisance issues. It defines nuisances, discusses the statutory powers available to abate nuisances, and provides information on methods of enforcement, including sample ordinance provisions.
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in Adobe Acrobat (
594kb)
The Open Public Meetings Act - How it Applies to Washington Cities, Counties, and Special Purpose Districts. Report No. 60, May 2008. $10.00(City/County)/$20.00(All Others). Covers who is subject to Act, procedural requirements, executive sessions, exemptions, and penalties, and identifies relevant case law and attorney general opinions.
As new legislation is enacted or court decisions are issued that affect the Open Public Meetings Act, revisions to this publication may be made to the online version (see link below). To insure you are viewing the most up-to-date version of this publication, see the online version.
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Adobe Acrobat (
306kb)
Public Records Act for Washington Cities and Counties. Report No. 61, May 2007. $20.00(City/County)/$30.00(All Others). This latest edition incorporates the new statutory numbering effective July 1, 2006, and also contains recodification tables with references to the Model Rules. Discusses the statutory disclosure exemptions relevant to cities and counties in Washington, as well as the mandatory procedures for responding to public disclosure requests.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 713kb)
A Revenue Guide for Washington Cities and Towns. Report No. 46, August 1999. $16.00(City/County)/$24.00(All Others). Contains up-to-date information on revenue sources available to cities and towns for general government purposes, including the relevant statutory references and court decisions. For information on the impacts of Initiative 695 (which are not addressed in this publication), see the Association of Washington Cities fact sheet "I-695: Tax Limitation and Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Initiatives," July 1999.
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 743kb)
A Revenue Guide for Washington Counties. Report No. 53, July 2001. $16.00(County)/$24.00(All Others). A Revenue Guide for Washington Counties is intended primarily to assist county policymakers and administrators in understanding the array of revenue sources available for the various programs and services they provide. It is not a comprehensive listing of all the revenues available, but is rather an attempt to describe and explain the more important sources. We hope others with a more general interest in county government will also find the information useful.
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on the Web
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in Adobe Acrobat ( 450kb)
Special Purpose Districts in Washington State. Report No. 58, August 2003. $16.00 (City/County)/$24.00 (All Others). Special districts are local governments that enable citizens to obtain a variety of services not otherwise available from a city, town, or county. Since statehood, the Washington legislature authorized more than 80 different kinds of special purpose districts through a labyrinth of statutes. This publication provides an overview of special purpose districts in Washington State. The intent is to remove some of the mystery, raise visibility, and create a more orderly approach to looking at special district governance.
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Acrobat ( 1.32mb)
Surveys, Subdivision and Platting, and Boundaries with State and Federal Laws, Administrative Regulations and Judicial Decisions. Report No. 14, 1987. This publication was originally published by MRSC in 1987. It can now be purchased from the Land Surveyors Association of Washington - (425) 868-0200. A six page update (January 2000) is available.
Town Handbook - Handbook for Washington Town Officials - Municipalities of the Fourth Class. Report No. 24 (Revision of Report No. 20), December 1992. $14.00. Provides essential information for town officials and indicates their powers, duties and alternatives that are available under applicable forms of government.
Utility Billing & Collection Issues. Report No. 40, September 1997. $20.00(City/County)/$30.00(All Others). This publication is not available on the Web; however, you can click here to view a Web page regarding utility billing and collection issues.
Washington Model Traffic Ordinance. Report No. 55, April 2002. $15.00. This publication may be used by any county, city, or town that wishes to or has adopted the Model Traffic Ordinance (MTO) for the regulation of traffic offenses. The publication provides the complete text of the MTO adopted by state regulation, and, for easy access, includes the complete text of all state traffic laws adopted by the MTO by reference. By use of the MTO, state traffic laws may be charged as local regulations.
Washington State Local Improvement District Manual, Fifth Edition. Report No. 59, October 2003. $20.00(City/County)/$30.00(All Others). This manual is intended to provide an overall perspective of detailed LID procedures, to focus on a chronological order of responsibilities, to describe routine processes from initiation to the conclusion of financing, to reduce employee training time, and to identify problems. This fifth edition incorporates legislative changes and case law through October 2003 and includes new chapters on Road Improvement Districts and LID look-alikes.
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Acrobat ( 1.51mb)
Washington State Small Works Roster Manual for Local Governments (First Edition). Report No. 51, June 2000. $16.00(City/County)/$24.00(All Others). The small works rosters is a process through which there is competition for construction contracts following notification to some or all public works contractors who have requested placement on a roster kept by a local government agency. This publication is intended to present basic steps needed to implement a small works roster program for all units of local government. In addition, it attempts to summarize purchasing and bidding statutes for local government in order to show the context of the small works roster process.