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NEWLY ELECTED COUNTY OFFICIALS GATHER IN OLYMPIA
 | | Commissioners-elect Al French, Spokane County; Herb Welch, Grays Harbor County; and Harold Beggs, Asotin County |
Twenty one newly elected County Commissioners and Councilmembers along with 100 other independently elected officials met in Olympia last week for the joint WSAC-WACO orientation.
New WSAC members spent three days getting to know the framework of county government and preparing their "personal infrastructure for success." Through a series of workshops, they identified the issues and relationships that will be critical to them in the first year of office.
WSAC would like to thank the many current members and presenters who partcipated and helped contribute to the robust conversations. Several of those presentation materials are available below.
Resources:
WSAC President John Koster's Welcoming Remarks
Excerpts of Executive Director Eric Johnson's Closing Remarks
Joint Conference Presentations (scroll halfway down page)
Legal Dos and Don'ts by Jim Doherty, Municipal Research Svcs Center
County Canvassing Board Training, Secretary of State's Office
Historic View of County Core Functions, Hugh Spitzer, Foster Pepper
Basics of County Budgeting, Glenn Olson, Clark County
Utilizing your Prosecutor as Your Attorney, Craig Adams, Pierce County
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Governor Proposes Budget Cuts, Structural Changes
WSAC Analyzes County Impacts of Proposed 2011-13 Budget | |
In a sweeping effort to propose a balanced budget after a dismal third quarter revenue and caseload projection, Governor Gregoire earlier this week announced a series of cuts and agency consolidations to fill a $4.6 billion revenue gap. Those programs hardest hit include education, health and human services, and natural resources.
Many of the cuts, if approved by the legislature, will have effects at the local level.
However, as outlined in a letter to WSAC Executive Director Eric Johnson, the Governor recognizes that counties will be where many people turn as vital state services are reduced or eliminated. She also acknowledges that counties have already been impacted by their own budget challenges.
The Governor and her staff worked closely with WSAC staff during her budget development to mitigate the impact to counties where possible. Her proposal preserves all or part of some important locally dedicated revenue streams, including the city-county assistance fund and the public works account among others (see letter below).
Under her proposal, the face of natural resources at the state level would be dramatically different with five instead of 11 agencies, streamlined operations and increased user permit fees. These actions would save $2.5 million. Other agency consolidations and reductions are proposed, as well as the elimination of 36 more statewide boards and commissions.
The Governor released her fiscal year 2011 supplemental budget proposal today. WSAC staff will provide additional analysis on the supplemental budget as appropriate.
Resources:
Governor Gregoire's Letter to WSAC Executive Director
WSAC Budget Analysis of Governor Gregoire's 2011-13 Budget Proposal
2011-13 Proposed Budget Highlights and Details
2011 Supplemental Budget
Governor's News Releases on Budget Proposal, Structural Changes |
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WSAC Salutes Outgoing Members
Outgoing members who were recognized at the WSAC Annual Conference in Spokane County
 | | Left to Right: Mary Hunt, Douglas County; Mary Lou Peterson, Okanogan County; Merrill Ott, Stevens County; and Joe Bond, Ferry County |
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WSAC extends its heartfelt thanks and best wishes to the following members who will leave office at the end of 2010.
For those goodbye events for which we were notified, and occur after this edition was published, Click Here
Max Benitz, Benton County
Shawn Bunney, Pierce County
Al Carter, Grays Harbor County
John Dean, Island County
Joe Bond, Ferry County
Ross Gallagher, Mason County
Barbara Gelman, Pierce County
Clay Harwood, Pacific County
Terry Lee, Pierce County
Ted Hopkins, Lincoln County
Mary Hunt, Douglas County
Gene Knapp, San Juan County
Buck Lane, Asotin County
Bonnie Mager, Spokane County
Doug Mattoon, Asotin County
Mark McLain, Kittitas County
Bob Myhr, San Juan County
Mary Lou Peterson, Okanogan County
Merrill Ott, Stevens County
Axel Swanson, Cowlitz County
Jamie Tolfree, Skamania County
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| President's Report: NACo Board of Directors Meeting
Tarrant County (Southlake), Texas December 2-4, 2010 | |
On December 2nd the scheduled Board forum for Committee Chairs to present their respective legislative agendas from each committee for the upcoming year was held. The following day the Committee legislative agendas were to be presented to the full NACo Board for approval. Largely the concerns regarding the legislative agenda centered on the implications of election of the new majority in the US House of Representatives and, more specifically, the measures they may undertake to control spending and reduce programs in attempts to get the deficit spending under control. Potential cuts and reductions may affect essential services offered by counties, as well as services counties provide that are generated by federal mandates. And as well, how important it is for NACo members to inform their congressional members just how important these services are and the consequences of potential cuts.
At the December 3rd meeting nominations of new members to the NACo Board were presented and approved. The NACo Executive Board presented to the full Board a proposed Strategic Plan for 2011 and beyond. The goals of the plan include: Increasing member Engagement, Better Demonstrate our Value to Members, Further Engage the Corporate Community in NACo and County Programs, Implement Changes and New Ideas to Improve Future NACo Conferences, Transition NACo to a More Digital Organization, Develop Value-Added and New Programs and Services, Increase Public Awareness and Understanding About Counties, and finally to Further Stimulate Staff Engagement to Better Serve our Members. The full Board broke into smaller 'breakout session' groups to discuss the Strategic Plan and make recommendations and to provide feedback. When the full Board reconvened there was further discussion and some proposed changes recommended to the Strategic Plan.
On the morning of December 4th following various committee reports and program briefings, the proposed budget for 2011 was presented to the full Board. The budget included no increase in NACo dues. It included a merit pay increase for staff, some necessary capital purchases, and a request to the Board to relax the 3.5% surplus requirement. In spite of the recommendation, the budget is projected to end 2011 with a surplus of $267,810.00. The budget also included revenue ($750,000 in 2011 and $250,000 in 2012) from Caremark, whose contract was renewed, to be used to expand county membership for those counties who have never been members of NACo. There will be an intensive effort to retain those counties in out years. Following some discussion the Strategic Plan and the budget were approved by the full NACo Board.
Respectively submitted by John Koster Snohomish County Councilman
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Local Government Audits to See Increased Focus, Enhanced Recommendations
The State Auditor's Office Reaches Out to Local Elected Officials | |
Guest Article by Bruce Botka, Assistant Director Performance Audit, SAO
The Washington State Auditor's Office is reaching out to city and county officials across the state to help identify topics for performance audits of local governments in 2011-13.
Voters granted the Auditor's Office broad authority to conduct performance audits of local and state governments when they passed Initiative 900 in 2005. Since then, the Performance Audit Division has audited more than 80 public entities across the state, including state agencies, city and county governments, schools, ports, utilities and hospitals.
Earlier this year, in an effort to better focus its work, the Auditor's Office initiated a more systematic and risk-based approach for selecting local government audit topics. The Office published its state government performance audit work plan in March and will publish the local government plan early next year.
State Auditor Brian Sonntag said this outreach effort has been constructive.
"We are very impressed by the determination of elected officials and staff to deliver the best possible services at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers," he said.
Performance Audit Director Larisa Benson, who is directing the outreach effort, said she hopes this approach will ensure future audits are targeted at the agencies, programs and functions that can most benefit from detailed evaluation.
The Auditor's Office has consulted with members of the Washington State Association of Counties; the Association of Washington Cities; the Washington Association of County Officials; the Washington City/County Management Association; and the Washington Finance Officers Association.
The Auditor's Office is working with the public opinion and communication firm of Elway Trimble Communications to survey local officials and narrow the list of potential audit topics. Stuart Elway, whose nonpartisan "Elway Poll" analyzes public opinion across the Northwest, recently published the results of a survey of local elected officials that identified budgets, economic development and road, bridge and park preservation as their most important concerns.
Using results from the local government surveys, in-person discussions with the associations, and interviews with state and local leaders, the Auditor's staff will evaluate proposed audit topics using the following criteria:
- Focus on the highest priorities for local governments: The work plan will emphasize audits that address local governments' most important and costly operations.
- Identify potential savings and efficiencies: In light of local governments' ongoing budget challenges, the plan will prioritize audits that offer the potential to reduce costs or improve services within current or reduced spending.
- Address areas of high risk: Some programs require more attention because of their cost, the inherent risk of their missions, or the need for significant reform.
- Provide practical, actionable recommendations: Potential topics will be evaluated to determine the likelihood that local leaders will be able to implement potential recommendations.
- Manageable audit scope: The plan will give priority to audits whose scope can be accomplished in a timely manner.
Benson said she expects the local government performance audit work plan to show both a statewide reach and a strategic framework.
"Without exception," she said, "we're hearing support for audits that identify options, tools and techniques that all local governments can use to save money, improve productivity and deliver the high-quality results that they want and that citizens expect. "Make no mistake: We're still conducting audits, and we will still identify problems and opportunities for improvement at the ground level. But it's our responsibility to do more than just write up narrow findings, and we take that responsibility very seriously." A summary of the results of the surveys will be published in late December. Plans call for the local government work plan to be completed in March 2011. Association members will be able to access the results and work plan through the WSAC Insider or by visiting the State Auditor's Office website at www.sao.wa.gov |
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WSAC Weighs in to Support Biomass |
Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Title V Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule (Tailoring Rule), which is part of the agency's broader regulatory efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The final rule departed unexpectedly from established policy by treating greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of biomass the same as emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels.
WSAC sent two letters to members of the Obama administration urging the administration to reconsider the regulatory action prior to the effective date of greenhouse gas regulation on January 2, 2011. WSAC requested that the administration re-affirm EPA's long-standing policy that combustion of biomass for energy does not increase carbon in the atmosphere when done sustainably. The letters were sent to U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke and to the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.
The WSAC Timber Counties Committee regularly discusses biomass issues and requested that the association take a position on this issue.
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Health Care Reform Updates
State & National News | |
WSAC and the Association of County Human Services had a chance to explore the implications of the implementation of provisions of the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act during a two part session at the WSAC Annual conference held in Spokane in November.
Anita Cardwell, Senior Associate of Community Services from the National Association of County Officials (NACO) presented information on "how health reform changes will impact county employees and services". LINK County officials and human services staff also heard a presentation by Clark County Commissioner Marc Boldt and Clark County Human Services Director Vanessa Gaston about the Regional approach to delivery of behavioral health services. They discussed their work in partnership with Cowlitz County, moving toward integration of mental health and substance abuse services with primary care in order to prepare for changes in service delivery under health reform, a potential model for other counties.
Resources: |
| Timber Counties Rally to Support Funding for Forest Roads | |
In October, Governor Gregoire and Commissioner of Public Lands Goldmark appealed to the federal government for $15.5 million to repair fish passage blockages on county and small forest landowner roads. About half of that amount would be dedicated to county roads. The proposal is supported by the state, tribes, large and small landowners, and WSAC. Twenty elected county officials, on behalf of the WSAC Timber Counties Committee, recently submitted a letter of support for this proposal. Read the WSAC letter, a letter from the Governor and Commissioner of Public Lands, and a fact sheet at:
Resources:
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| Association of Local Public Health Officials Board approves 2011-2015 goals | |
The WSALPHO Board of Directors met on December 7th, at which time the Board approved the organization's Strategic Framework for 2011-2015. The Vision, Mission and Values of the organization were modified to better reflect how the Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials (WSALPHO), as an organization, will do business in the future.
Small workgroups will flesh out the specific objectives and timeframes for each of the goals contained within the plan, and when completed, this will help WSALPHO and its partners to:
- Develop more effective and efficient business models and practices
- Create a more nimble organization that is capable of addressing multiple issues
- Create sustainability and support for public health
- Have a greater influence on policy and systems change at the local, state and national levels
This plan will stretch us as an organization, but the Board felt the Goals were achievable and will help create a new sense of momentum while enabling the organization to better anticipate and adapt to a challenging and changing environment.
Resources:
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LSC Odds & Ends
As you all know, the upcoming legislative session is going to be an extremely difficult one. Please meet and share WSAC's 2011 Legislative Agenda (found below under Resources) with your legislative delegation.
There are a number of new members in the Legislature and it is very important that you begin setting up meeting with your legislative delegation to discuss this agenda now as January is simply too late to start that process.
If you would like some help in arranging meetings with your legislative delegation during the Legislative Session, give us a call. Your Association policy staff is ready and willing to provide that assistance.
Also, listed below is the 2011 LSC Meeting Schedule.
Should you have any questions regarding this legislative agenda, or the 2011 LSC schedule, please do not hesitate to contact you Association staff.
Resources:
2011 Legislative Agenda
2011 LSC Meeting Schedule | |
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WSAC INSIDER December Sponsor
Thank You! | |
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| | | SAVE THE DATE: Labor Relations Forum | |
WSAC is co-sponsoring with the Association of Washington Cities a forum "Getting on the Same Page" to explore a different approach to labor negotiations.
WHEN: February 17, 2011
WHERE: Red Lion Olympia
Participants will receive three
elective County Training Institute credits.
Registration information will be emailed to all members soon. |
| | NACo NEWS | |
Skagit County Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt, a member of NACo's Rural Action Committee, is pictured in the Dec. 13 issue of County News. Thank you Ken for your work on behalf of Washington's rural counties at the national level!
Applications for the 2011 NACo Achievement Award program are now available. The annual program is non-competitive and recognizes innovative county government programs. |
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STATE AGENCY GRANTS & MORE
The Department of Commerce has issued a competitive solicitation for their Clusters Grant Program to local jurisdictions and other eligible organizations.
The Washington State Legislature in 2010 (ESSB 6444) directed the Department of Commerce to administer a competitive grant program which is to fund economic development activities to further regional cluster growth and to exhibit support for the development of an innovation partnership zone.
Please refer to the attached Application Guidelines to determine whether your jurisdiction has an eligible project and is able to accomplish the project by June 30, 2011.
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The Governor signed an executive order directing state agencies to review their proposed rule making to see if thy could be suspended. She also asked the agencies to consult with local governments. The Department of Ecology consulted with WSAC and we appreciate the input from our membership.
Ecology's Rulemaking Suspension List
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For the past year, County Road Administration Board (CRAB) staff has been working with the Washington State Association of County Engineers in crafting changes to the Rural Arterial Program.
The CRABoard will be considering adoption of these rule changes at a public hearing scheduled for January 27, 2011 at 2 pm during their quarterly CRABoard meeting.
Please send your comments to
Randy Hart.
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Every five years, fede
ral regulations require that departments of transportation review their non-metropolitan local official consultation process, provide a period for local governments to comment, and report the results to the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
The Department of Transportation (WSDOT) continuously engages in the non-metropolitan consultation process in a number of ways, including regular meetings with the state's Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs) and the Tribal Transportation Planning Organization (TTPO). The attached document describes the elements of the consultation process and its mandates.
This proposal is subject to a 60-day public comment process. Please review and provide any feedback to Teri Hotsko, (360) 705-7918, hotskot@wsdot.wa.gov no later than Friday, January 14, 2011.
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| | | STATEWIDE BOARD & COMMISSION OPENINGS | |
WSAC seeks elected county representation for the following statewide bodies:
Affordable Housing Advisory Board - Eastern WA seat
Noxious Weed Control Board (note that the WSAC Board of Directors is seeking candidates with a background in agriculture to serve in this position)
Apply Today |
| | ANNUAL CONFERENCE FOLLOW UP | |
Stuart Elways's Election Coverage Presentation
Also, if you haven't had a chance to view our members and director who gave Comcast Newsmakers interviews on site at the conference, view here. |
| | Insider Feedback |
We welcome feedback on all WSAC products and services, including the Insider newsletter. If you have a comment or suggestion please send us an email. |
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