 Welcome to the inaugural issue of the monthly WSAC Insider! This electronic newsletter was created especially for the members, affiliates, partners and friends of the Washington State Association of Counties. It is our goal to provide relevant, timely and valuable news and tools for county elected officials, department directors, and those interested in county issues. We depend on your feedback to help us craft a useful resource that you look forward to receiving in your in-box.
Regards,
Eric Johnson
Executive Director |
| Federal Health Care Reform
What Counties Need to Know | |
The Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was passed and signed into law in March 2010. Although many details around implementation at the state and local level are yet to be determined, some provisions are scheduled to be implemented this year. This change in law will impact counties in a number of areas. There are more questions than answers at this point, but issues for counties to consider include:
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Personnel/Insurance - Changes to requirements for insurance coverage plans for county employees
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Service Delivery of Human Services and Public Health - Medicaid eligibility criteria will be expanded to include an additional 500,000 individuals in the state who will be eligible for Medicaid services; the county role will most likely change in the state's new healthcare delivery system that will include behavioral health (mental health and substance abuse) and public health
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Funding Opportunities - Funding will be available for programs including grants for public health and prevention services
WSAC has created a variety of resources for counties and will continue to provide information as it becomes available:
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| Commissioner Boldt's Top 5 Leadership Lessons | 
#3 100 Percent Consensus is a Great Way to Kill a Project. |
| Stormwater Investment Helped by Counties | WSAC would like to thank the storm water staff from King, Pierce, Thurston and Yakima counties for their advice and assistance in helping design the program described below. We would also like to thank the Association of Washington Cities staff and their membership for coordination, cooperation and compromise with the program design. Finally, we would like to thank the Senate for insisting the appropriation be included in the final Capital Budget.
In order to help us demonstrate the outcomes from this funding, it is important that you keep track of what you accomplish with the funding. Please share the outcomes with your citizens, local media, your legislative delegation and your association staff.
State making $50 million investment in cleaning up stormwater In other stormwater news...Department of Ecology is beginning a process to reissue three Municipal Stormwater General Permits affecting 15 counties and other entities. The agency has established listening sessions around the state in August and September as opportunities to offer suggestions for permit improvements. |
| County Highlight: King County Executive Unveils Energy Plan
Innovative Ideas Further County Efficiencies and Sustainability | | King County Executive Dow Constantine last week outlined his energy plan for the county that sets ambitious renewable energy goals and encourages the participation of county staff and facilities, utilities, and private partners to reach those goals. Building on the model energy programs that King County is known for nationally, Executive Constantine's plan further improves the sustainability and efficiency of county operations, which has saved taxpayers millions to this point. His robust plan provides plenty of ideas for WSAC's member counties to consider while creating or expanding their own energy programs, including innovative use of grant funding and energy savings credits, vehicle conversions, and an employee recognition program. |
| FEMA Floodplane Model Ordinance Sparks Controversy
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In 2003 the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was sued by the National Wildlife Federation for failing to consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for operation of their National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in the Puget Sound region. As a result, FEMA was ordered to consult, and in the fall of 2008, NMFS issued a biological opinion concluding that FEMA's implementation of the program threatens endangered salmon and orca whales in the Puget Sound.
What this all means is not clear. Properties in the floodplain are subject to a variety of local and state regulations, including shorelines and critical area regulations. Properties in the floodplain need flood insurance. In order to get that insurance, the county or city needs to have regulations in place that are at least as stringent as what is being proposed in FEMA's Model Ordinance (recently released and the subject of public comment). Such setbacks and other conditions in the model ordinance are significantly more stringent than many or all cities now have on the books. At this point, adherence to the model ordinance appears to conflict with existing state mandates on where growth should go and how shorelines should be managed.
WSAC staff are working to better understand the potential impacts being faced and how these impacts can be mitigated. We are engaged with a coalition of other interested parties, including the Association of Washington Cities, Washington Public Ports Association, Washington Realtors, and the Association of Washington Business, and have been in close communication with the Governor's office and the Department of Ecology. WSAC also recently met with staff from Senator Patty Murray's office, who are engaged in the issue.
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| State Energy Strategy Revision Begins
County Advisory Member Seeks WSAC Members' Input |
The Washington State Department of Commerce is leading an effort to revise the State Energy Strategy, Washington's comprehensive energy plan for meeting our future energy needs. The passage of E2SHB 2658 directed the revision of the State Energy Strategy and specified that a successful strategy must balance three goals, to: 1. maintain competitive energy prices; 2. foster a clean energy economy and jobs; and 3. meet obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
As directed, the strategy update will be submitted to the Governor and Legislature by December 1, 2010. The fully revised strategy will be submitted by December 1, 2011. The Department of Commerce is engaging a Technical Experts Panel, an Advisory Committee, state agencies, and other key stakeholders in this effort.
Commissioner David Sauter, Klickitat County, serves on the Advisory Committee as a representative for counties. Commissioner Sauter is seeking advice and input from other commissioners/councilmembers as he represents counties. Share your comments, questions or concerns with Scott Merriman who will pass them along. |
| Legislative Steering Committee
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The 2009-2010 Legislative Steering Committee held its final meeting Thursday, June 17 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Thurston County. The meeting was in conjunction with WSAC's Joint District Meeting. The Committee had a full agenda which included reviewing WSAC's 2010 Legislative Report and 2010 Supplemental Budget Highlights; discussing Infrastructure Financing, the State Energy Strategy and the Joint Transportation Committee Study; an update on the Federal Health Care Act; and began formation of the 2011 Legislative Agenda.
The LSC took official action on the following:
Reclaimed Water:
The Committee moved that WSAC staff shall proactively work to ensure that the final rule adopted by Ecology promotes the use of reclaimed water. WSAC will advocate for a final rule that provides a greater level of certainty for counties that currently operate or that may develop future reclaimed water projects. WSAC staff shall also coordinate their efforts with counties that have an interest in the operation of current, or development of future reclaimed water facilities. In the interest of fulfilling this recommendation and at their discretion, WSAC staff are free to work with all levels of Ecology staff, members of the legislature and legislative staff, the Governor's office, and other parties that have an interest in this issue.
After a lengthy and spirited discussion the Committee moved that WSAC staff work to form "Interim Work Groups" in the major policy areas for the purpose of supporting the work of the Legislative Steering Committee as it prepares for the 2011 Legislative Session.
With the Board of Directors ratifying President Ott's 2010-2011 LSC membership roster in June, those appointed will be receiving notification letters in the coming week. Additionally, staff is currently working on a meetings schedule for the remainder of interim and the 2011 Legislative Session. Invitations for the interim workgroups will also be forthcoming. Membership is open to non-LSC members, affiliates and county staff.
Download a copy of the June 17th meeting materials.
Please contact Brad Banks if you have any questions regarding WSAC's LSC. |
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FOR FUTURE ISSUES OF THE INSIDER
We are seeking news about counties and WSAC members! In particular, we are looking for model programs, innovations and efficiency ideas of interest to our member counties. Submit items by the 10th of each month. Those who represent counties on statewide boards, councils, commissions, work groups and task forces are invited to submit a brief synopsis of any pressing issues, requests for input, decisions or upcoming policy implications. Submit a summary or request as they arise. Thank you for contributing to the WSAC Insider. Your input matters! |
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 | | WSAC Insider's July Sponsor | |
| Featured Event |
Federal Health Care Act and the Integration of Behavioral Health and Primary Care Services | |
Learn what state policy makers are hearing regarding implementation of the Federal Health Care Act and about changes contemplated as they move forward with integration of primary care and behavioral health into person-centered health homes.
The Mental Health Transformation Grant (MHTG) is providing this opportunity for county elected officials and staff, public health officials and our partners to hear a presentation by Barbara Mauer Managing Consultant for MCPP Healthcare Consulting in Seattle.
When: July 21, 2010 1-4 pm
Where: Hudson's Bay School, Vancouver, Clark County
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| Quick Links | |
Survey
Take the Elway Poll, a survey of local elected officials in Washington
Events & Training
August 11
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State Connection
Counties Represented on Governor's Budget Committee |
Commissioner Mike Doherty, Clallam County, and Eric Johnson, WSAC Executive Director, have been appointed to Governor Chris Gregoire's Committee on Transforming Washington's Budget. This committee is part of the Governor's larger reform effort to prepare for the 2011-13 state budget and allows counties input during the process. The first public hearing is July 19 in Tacoma.
Economic and revenue forecast released---
New Canadian law exempts some from paying WA sales tax--
Building Code Council delays energy code implementation |
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