EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVES:
NACo Annual Conference Highlights
Leo Bowman, Benton County Commissioner, & Ron Wesen, Skagit County Commissioner, represent Washington's counties at NACo Conference  |
Lead by WSAC President and Stevens County Commissioner Merrill Ott, WSAC Vice President and Snohomish County Councilmember John Koster, and WSAC Secretary Treasurer and Skamania County Commissioner Paul Pearce, nearly 20 WSAC members participated in the National Association of Counties' Annual Conference and Exposition in Washoe County, Nevada the third week of July.
Also attending were your NACo Board of Directors' members Leo Bowman, Benton County Commissioner, and Mary Hunt, Douglas County Commissioner and John Koster, Snohomish County Councilmember.
Commissioner Bowman was appointed by newly elected NACo President Glen Whitley to chair NACo's Transportation Steering Committee, while six WSAC members were also tapped to chair various subcommittees. Congratulations to all!
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| Initiative and Referendum Fiscal Impacts | | This information is provided for analytical purposes only and is not intended as an expression of support for or opposition to the proposed measures.
The Office of Financial Management has prepared the fiscal impact statements for the six initiatives and one referendum certified by the Secretary of State as qualified to appear on the November 2010 ballot.
Some of the Initiatives would have significant impacts to local governments. Notably:
- 1082 requires employers to pay the full cost of the Medical Aid premium. Under current law, counties can deduct one-half of the Medical Aid premium from employee pay. The estimated local government impact is $10.5 million annually.
- 1100/1105 results in a loss of shared revenue from the liquor excise tax and liquor profit, which totaled nearly $12 million for counties in fiscal year 2009. Modest revenue offsets are assumed as a result of increased sales associated with both 1100 and 1105, and increased Business and Occupation taxes from 1105.
- 1107, which would end sales tax on candy; end temporary sales tax on some bottled water; end temporary excise taxes on carbonated beverages; and reduce tax rates for certain food processors results in a loss of $83 million over five fiscal years in revenue for local jurisdictions authorized to impose a sales tax.
Resources:
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| Primary Election Results
Last Updated August 18, 2010 |
WSAC staff has compiled a list of county election results, which we will update as ballots continue to be counted and post the latest version on our website. Please note, election results will not be certified by the Secretary of State until September 7, 2010.
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| Commissioner Paul Pearce Testifies for SRS
Reauthorization Effort Underway for Secure Rural Schools Act |
Commissioner Paul Pearce, Skamania County, (left) testifies with others at oversight hearing  |
Commissioner Paul Pearce was invited by the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands of the Committee on Natural Resources to testify July 29 in Washington DC at the first ever oversight hearing on the Secure Rural Schools program. Commissioner Pearce testified on behalf of NACo and Washington's timber counties as to the impacts, successes and future of the program that infuses $18 million each for schools and counties in our state.
"Our focus now is to get a 10 year reauthorization at the 2008 level in the President's 2012 budget," said Pearce. "We will know if we were successful in late October of this year."
According to Commissioner Pearce, the subcommittee members were very interested in the testimony and Subcommittee Chair Rep. Raul Grijalva (Arizona) remarked that the program needs to be enlarged. Chair Grijalva also met with those who testified after the hearing.
WSAC's timber counties should be ready to help with grassroots efforts in the next few months; Commissioners Pearce and Bud Hover, Okanogan County, will call on members to contact their Congressional delegates as needed.
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| Enhanced 911 County Funding in Doubt
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WSAC has learned that the Washington State Military Department intends to reduce state grants in fiscal year (FY) 2011 for counties that have authorized the increased tax for E911, potentially resulting in $2 million in lost revenue to counties. We are working with the Military Department and other stakeholders to resolve these issues.
We are concerned that counties would be penalized for enacting a local option and believe it is unrealistic to expect counties to pass a local tax without receiving the benefit of additional revenue. Additionally, we believe a reduction of state resources to counties is contrary to legislative intent. The fiscal note for Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 6846 projected an increase of over $2 million in state grants to counties in FY 2011, not a decrease.
We have also heard a concern from some counties that they will not be eligible to receive funding from the State E911 account if they have not imposed the maximum amount locally; which is how the program has historically operated. SSB 6846 amended the language that prohibits distribution to counties if they have not imposed the maximum. It is possible to interperate the new language as giving the Military Department discretion to provide funding to counties regardless of whether or not they have imposed the maximum amount.
It is commonly accepted that some counties do not have the tax base to finance the modernization alone, even with additional local resources. In 2001, the state created the State Enhanced 911 account to support the statewide coordination and management of the system and to help adequately fund county implementation of E911 service. Maintaining the commitment to adequately fund counties is critical to ensure that every county has the resources needed to increase access and improve response times to emergencies. |
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Legislative Steering Committee Update |
With the dog days of summer drawing to a close we want to provide a quick update on LSC activites for the remainder of 2010:
- The 2011 LSC Committee is nearly complete.
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We have scheduled two teleconference meetings prior to our November in person meeting. Conference call dates are September 23 & October 14 both from 10am-Noon. Details will be emailed out a week before the meeting.
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Staff is working to prepare a draft 2011 Legislative Agenda that builds off the last session's.
Interim Work Groups will be used to discuss/refine the 2011 Legislative Agenda. Please note thise work groups are still in the formation process and are open to county Executives/Councilmembers/Commissioners/County Staff/Affiliates, if you are interested in participating please email Brad Banks. -
If you have ideas or topics you would like to be considered for the 2011 Legisaltive Agenda please email Brad Banks or Scott Merriman.
As always, thank you for your hard work, committment and all you do on behalf of Washington's counties. |
| Governor Requests Bold Ideas from Counties
Transforming Washington's Budget | |
As part of her budget process for the 2011-2013 biennium, Governor Gregoire has asked WSAC, as a partner, to help produce bold and innovative ideas to save money for counties and the state.
These ideas will feed into the work that Commissioner Mike Doherty, Clallam County, and WSAC Executive Director Eric Johnson are doing as members of the Governor's Transforming Washington's Budget committee. That committee, along with the Governor and her staff, listened at four public hearings around the state in which 1,550 attended, 161 testified, and 315 submitted comment cards. The Governor also received over 1,900 comments and suggestions through her budget ideas website.
The Governor is not only looking for ideas that will assist in reducing the estimated $3 billion shortfall anticipated for the 2011-2013 biennium, but is very interested in exploring ideas that could fundamentally change what state government does.
Do you have an idea or a proposal? As the Governor has often stated, "there are no sacred cows," so be bold, be creative, and be forward thinking. We will be gathering your ideas and sharing them with the Governor within the next couple of weeks. Please submit your ideas to Scott Merriman.
Our county representatives continue to work on the Governor's committee, reviewing public feedback and state agencies' materials, and forming subgroups to better study all aspects of savings.
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WSAC & WSALPHO Welcome Lois Smith |
Lois Smith has recently joined the WSAC team as the Managing Director for the Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials (WSALPHO). Welcome Lois!
Lois comes to our organization with extensive experience in government affairs, strategic planning and project/resource management. She has a solid background in program development, operations management and resource development in both non-/for-profit environments.
Lois has spent the majority of her career working on healthcare policy and health-related issues in organizations dedicated to improving the lives of adults, families and children. Twelve years of her career was with the AARP, directing national, regional and state efforts for the Association's legislative advocacy, community service and public education initiatives.
Lois' mantra is to listen, learn and leverage the leadership and expertise of our members and describes herself as a visionary with a plan.
"I have the ability to see the big picture while simultaneously working to build a dynamic and strategic world-class operation that positions WSALPHO as the collective voice for local health jurisdictions," said Smith.
Lois and her family relocated back to Washington State last month after an 11-year hiatus. They are thoroughly enjoying their return back to the Pacific Northwest ...and as Lois says, "we've come back home". |
| Traffic Offense Refunds
State's Model Traffic Ordinance Updated | |
The Department of Licensing (DOL) recently discovered that municipal court judges in several jurisdictions were dismissing cell phone and texting tickets because the state's Model Traffic Ordinance (MTO) had not been updated to reflect these violations. The MTO is designed to be a traffic law rulebook that cities and counties can adopt to easily be consistent with state traffic laws. Further study revealed the MTO had not been updated since 2004 and several other laws passed since then also were not included.
DOL estimates as many as 10,000 infractions could be impacted. The agency intends to refund the entire amount, not just the state portion. Staff from Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) and DOL have been working together the last few weeks to develop recommended procedures for issuing refunds and reimbursements for cases related to this issue. They determined that courts will provide information to DOL and DOL will reimburse the defendant directly.
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| Joint Transportation Committee Study
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The Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) Local Agency Efficiency study is well underway. The transportation budget directed the JTC to evaluate the funding and services provided by the County Road Administration Board (CRAB), the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB), the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB) and WSDOT's highways and local programs. The JTC has appointed a technical and policy level committee. The technical committee includes the director of each agency and staff from the local government associations. The policy committee includes legislators and the Governor's office.
The JTC has hired a consulting team and they have been busy meeting with the technical committee. They are in the process of developing a baseline of information about each agency. This baseline will allow a comparison of each agency.
Next steps will be outreach with customers of each agency. WSAC staff is working with the team to help identify the most cost effective approach for them to solicit input from elected and appointed staff. |
| Electric Vehicle Guidelines for Counties
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In 2009, the Legislature enacted legislation ( HB 1481) requiring certain cities and counties to take actions to support electric vehicles and charging facilities. The legislation also required the Puget Sound Regional Council to develop guidance for those cities and counties.
The guidance is now available for local governments to implement the legislation. Th
e law requires that local government development regulations allow electric vehicle infrastructure as a use in all zones except those zoned for residential, resource, or critical areas. This guidance extends the permitted use to these zones as well, although with some restrictions and limitations.
The requirements apply to local jurisdictions as follows:
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By July 1, 2010, municipalities greater than 20,000 in population in King County that are adjacent to Interstate 5, Interstate 90, Interstate 405, or State Route 520, and all municipalities adjacent to I-5 in Pierce, Snohomish and Thurston Counties, must allow electric vehicle infrastructure (these municipalities are shown in red on a map in the guide). -
By July 1, 2011, municipalities less than 20,000 in population in King County that are adjacent to these freeways, and all municipalities statewide adjacent to I-5 and I-90 statewide, are required to allow electric vehicle infrastructure (shown in yellow). -
The remaining municipalities across the state are required to allow battery charging stations by July 1, 2011 (shown in green). -
For unincorporated county lands, the law imposes similar 2010 and 2011 deadlines for electric vehicle infrastructure, but only within a 1-mile buffer around these freeways (shown in red and yellow hatch-marks). For battery charging stations, the entire area of the county is affected, except those zoned for residential, resource, or critical areas.
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| Ecology Rulemaking Alerts
Shorelines Management Act and surface water quality standards |
The Department of Ecology plans to change five of the Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58) rules and is asking for your input.
The rule changes affect commercial geoduck aquaculture siting and operations, and what circumstances local governments may amend their local shoreline programs. Plus Ecology is proposing some housekeeping changes to better align the rules with recent changes in statute.
Public comment period:
August 18 - October 18, 2010, 5 pm
Public open houses/hearings:
Moses Lake, Sept. 8; Everett, Sept. 13; Lacey, Sept. 14; Aberdeen, Sept. 15
Ecology has initiated rule making on surface water quality standards (Chapter 173-201A WAC) to address corrections and clarifications to the text. Ecology intends to make the rule more accurate by correcting and clarifying errors that have caused confusion for some stakeholders.
The agency anticipates having the proposed draft rule language available and starting the formal public review process on September 22, 2010, with a public hearing scheduled for October 26. Ecology expects these amendments to become effective in December 2010.
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Follow up from July's Insider
Federal Health Care Act: Integration of behavioral health and primary care | |
On July 21 in Vancouver, WA nearly 100 representatives of counties and regional support networks joined other partners in service delivery to hear a presentation on the Federal Health Care Act and the integration of behavioral health and primary care. The Mental Health Transformation Grant (MHTG) sponsored this training event by Barbara Mauer that included an overview of healthcare reform; information on medical homes as part of delivery system redesign; care management as a component of health homes; and the four quadrant model.
State policy makers shared what they have been hearing as counties move forward in implementation of the Federal Health Care Act and planned changes as the state moves forward with integration of primary care and behavioral health into person-centered health homes, a priority for DSHS.
Part II of the training is tentatively scheduled for:
September 21st, 1-5 pm, at an Olympia location TBD September 29th, 1-5 pm at an Olympia or SeaTac location TBD Resources:Video and presentation materials from the July training
Local Elected Officials Poll Results
The results are in! Many of you participated in The Elway Poll of local elected officials. It's probably not a big surprise that budget challenges dominate as the most important issue for local jurisdictions, but how growth management and infrastructure issue rankings have changed just might. The poll also ranks the fluctuations in key indicators over time by three broad regions of the state, as well as a host of other findings.
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 | | WSAC Insider's July Sponsor | |
| Featured Event |
WSAC Annual Conference & Showcase | |
Save the Dates!
When:
November 9-12, 2010
Where:
Red Lion Hotel at the Park, Spokane County
Early Announcements
Host hotel will offer per diem rates; many affiliate organizations are confirmed for participation; Spokane Commission Chair Marc Richard has arranged an historic buildings tour for attendees; Products & Services Showcase debuts...
WSAC members, affiliates and partners will receive email notification when registration and the host hotel block opens. |
| Member Notes | |
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Best wishes to these WSAC members:
Kathleen Johnson, Cowlitz County Commissioner, retires September 1; for more information about her August 26 retirement party contact the county at (360) 577-3020.
Former Snohomish
County Council member Mike Cooper was appointed Mayor of Edmonds on July 21. |
| Quick Links | |
Grant Opportunities
HUD Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grants
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WSDOT Regional Mobility
Grants and Workshops Public Comment Opportunities
The Washington State Transportation Commission is holding five listening sessions across the state to gather comments from the public on the draft 20-year Washington Transportation Plan - WTP 2030.
The public can view the draft WTP 2030 on the Commission's website. The Commission's website also features an online public input tool that gives citizens the opportunity to comment on transportation issues and priorities. Comments will also be accepted by e-mail wtp2030@wstc.wa.gov or by mail at: P.O. Box 47308, Olympia, WA 98504-7308 through October 15, 2010. Additional information about the plan can be found on the WTP 2030 blog.
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The Recreation and Conservation Office is proposing changes to Manual #3: Acquiring Land Policies which will affect all aquisition project grant funding
Two Washington counties are each partners in projects that have been awarded Coastal Counties Restoration Initiative grants: Grays Harbor County for the Davis Creek Fish Barrier Correction project, and Jefferson County for the Morse Creek Floodplane Reconnection
Boards & Commissions
Openings for Forensics Investigation Council, Council on Aging, plus planners needed! |
| | Stormwater Stories Needed | | If your county received state funds through the Department of Ecology to meet your NPDES requirements, please share your project successes with us. WSAC is working with the Cities to secure sustained funding for strormwater activities.
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| | Insider Feedback |
We welcome feedback on all WSAC products and services, including the Insider e-newsletter. If you have a comment or question please send us an email. |
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