WSAC Insider - 2010 Annual Conference Edition

ANNUAL CONFERENCE EDITION

NOVEMBER 2010

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

I want to first thank the WSAC membership for electing me President of our Association. As I said last week at our annual meeting in Spokane, I believe that the Washington State Association of Counties and NACo are organizations of the highest quality and serve as immense resources for counties and their leadership. You will receive more than you contribute to these organizations and I encourage you to participate and serve in any way in which you are able.

I take the helm at a time of great challenge for our Association, but also at a time of renewed purpose and focus. Many of our discussions last week and in recent months center not only on the upcoming legislative session and the 2011 association budget, but on our value as an association to our members, affiliates and partners. These conversations are invigorating and I look forward to what we can accomplish together in the next 12 months.

My request of you is to engage in the discussions and the work of WSAC. Bring your ideas to any of the Executive Officers or our Executive Director, Eric Johnson. Participate in WSAC and NACo committees. Visit with legislators about WSAC priorities. I personally welcome your suggestions.

I want to thank outgoing President Merrill Ott for his leadership during the past year. Along with Merrill, I look forward to working with the rest of the Executive Officers to serve you and all of the members of our fantastic association.

Regards,

- John

John Koster

WSAC President

Snohomish County Councilmember

Left to right: Commissioner Marc Boldt, Clark County, WSAC Secretary/Treasurer; Commissioner Paul Pearce, Skamania County, WSAC Vice President; Councilmember John Koster, Snohomish County, WSAC President; Commissioner Merrill Ott, Stevens County, WSAC Immediate Past President.

Association Membership Elects 2011 Leadership Positions

At its 104th Annual Meeting in Spokane County on November 11, the Washington State Association of Counties announced the results of its first ever electronic membership elections for the 2011 Executive Officers and other leadership positions. Congratulations to all of these members and thanks for their willingness to serve WSAC!

Executive Officers

President: Councilmember John Koster, Snohomish County
Vice President: Commissioner Paul Pearce, Skamania County
Secretary/Treasurer: Commissioner Marc Boldt, Clark County
Immediate Past President: Commissioner Merrill Ott, Stevens County

Eastern District Representatives
Commissioner Bud Hover, Okanogan County
Commissioner Bob Koch, Franklin County
Commissioner Todd Mielke, Spokane County
Commissioner David Sauter, Klickitat County

Eastern District Alternates
Commissioner Laura Merrill, Pend Oreille County
Commissioner Carolann Swartz, Grant County

Western District Representatives
Commissioner Blair Brady, Wahkiakum County
Commissioner Lee Grose, Lewis County
Commissioner Angie Homola, Island County
Commissioner Axel Swanson, Cowlitz County

Western District Alternates
Commissioner Sharon Dillon, Skagit County
Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt, Skagit County

NACo Board of Directors - Automatic Position
Commissioner Lynda Ring-Erickson, Mason County

NACo Board of Directors - Top 12 Position
Commissioner Mary Hunt, Douglas County

NACo Western Interstate Region - Counties with populations over 180,000
Commissioner Todd Mielke, Spokane County

NACo Western Interstate Region - Counties with populations fewer than180,000
Commissioner Ron Walter, Chelan County

Membership Adopts 2011 Legislative Agenda

WSAC's 2011 Legislative Agenda as adopted by the general membership at its Annual Conference last week in Spokane County.

A special thanks to all the members of the Legislative Steering Committee (LSC) for their time and commitment in getting this agenda assembled and finalized for adoption by the general membership.

If you have any questions regarding the 2011 Legislative Agenda, please do not hesitate to contact your Association's policy staff.

Resources:

WSAC 2011 Legislative Agenda

Governor Gregoire's Legislative Director Addresses WSAC Members at Its Annual Conference In Spokane

The Washington State Association of Counties was fortunate to have Governor Gregoire's Legislative Director, Jim Justin, speak at the annual conference. Justin described the challenges facing the state as it continues to grapple with economic recovery. The legislature is likely to face a budget shortfall in excess of $4 billion, for the second year in a row.

Justin began by articulating the Governor's recognition that the state budget has a serious impact on counties. In dialogue with WSAC members, he recommended that counties and cities continue working together and approaching the state together. He also recommended that counties come to the table with solutions rather than simply saying "no" to state initiatives.

According to Justin, the Governor's budget is unlikely to include new revenue proposals, and her legislative agenda will follow the release of the budget in early December. When it comes to addressing the budget problem, all ideas are on the table. Justin outlined six key areas that will be a focus for the Governor:

Jobs and the economy, including infrastructure (such as transportation and stormwater) depending on available resources
Education at all levels
Health & human services, likely focusing on implementation of the federal act
Public safety
Natural resources and Puget Sound recovery, with a high priority on stormwater
Transforming government services through consolidation, streamlining, etc.

Finally, Justin shared that the Governor is considering a suspension of rulemaking activity, though there will undoubtedly be exceptions for some actions such as those relating to public safety.

LSC Update

The Legislative Steering Committee met November 11 in Conjuction with WSAC's Annual Conference in Spokane County

November 11 Summary:

The Committee and a full agenda to work through on Nov. 11. They discussed a wide range of topics and took action on the following:

2011 Legislative Agenda: Most of the item on the agenda were in preparation of the Committee finalizing the 2011 Legislative Agenda. After a lengthy and healthy debate the Agenda was approved and sent to the general membership for adoption at the busniess meeting. Please access the adopted 2011 Legislative Agenda below under resources.
Mental Health Triage Facilities: The Committee chose to support the staff recomendation to pursue legislation to allow development of lower cost triage facilities for "peace officer holds" of individuals in crisis with a history of mental illness who have not committed a crime or who have committed non-violent, non-felony offenses
Local Public Health: LSC moved to support the Legislative Agenda of the Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials (WSALPHO). See Nov. 11 meeting materials below.
Transportation: LSC moved to support the Legislative Agenda of the Washington State Association of County Engineers (WSACE). See Nov. 11 meeting materials below.

The Committee also heard an update from Eric Johnson, WSAC's Executive Director, on his involvment in the Governor's Committee on Transforming Washington's Budget. See Nov. 11 meeting materials below.

Resources:

WSAC Adopted 2011 Legislative Agenda
November 11 Meeting Materials

LSC 2011 Meeting Schedule

All LSC meetings are subject to change per the wishes of the Committee members. Also, LSC teleconference meetings may be added as the Legislative Session progresses. Finally, LSC Sub-Committee meetings will maintain a fluid meeting schedule and meet as necessary.

JANUARY