WSAC Members Appointed to Transportation Task Force; WSAC Workgroup Formed 

Gov. Chris Gregoire appointed three county representatives to the "Connecting Washington Task Force," which are charged with developing a 10-year investing and funding plan for the state's transportation system and presenting it to the 2012 Legislature. The county representatives are Kitsap County Commissioner Charlotte Garrido, Benton County Commissioner Leo Bowman and King County Deputy Executive Fred Jarrett.  The Connecting Washington Task Force will review statewide transportation needs, recommend the most promising projects for investment and identify potential revenue sources.

Connecting Washington's members consists of locally elected officials and representatives from tribes, organized labor, trade associations and businesses, along with transit, consumer and environmental advocates. It also includes the chairs and ranking minority members of the House and Senate Transportation Committees, the Secretary of Transportation and Chair of the State Transportation Commission. The Governor will chair the group and help lead its meetings with the first meeting on July 19th in Seattle.

When the Governor announced the appointments she said "The demands on transit, roads and ferries will grow as our population grows and as businesses climb out of this recession.  Major transportation projects must be built, our ferry system must be preserved for future generations and the current transportation system must be maintained. Connecting Washington will give the Legislature options to improve and maintain our transportation system and help keep our communities and businesses moving."

In order to assist our representatives, WSAC is creating a transportation workgroup.  If you or your staff is interested in participating, please send an e-mail to smerriman@wacounties.org

Full list of Connecting Washington Task Force Members

Brad Banks Appointed Interim WSALPHO Managing Director

Eric Johnson, Executive Director with the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) and Elaine Conley, Chairperson of the Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials (WSALPHO) are pleased to announce that current WSAC staff member Brad Banks will become Interim WSALPHO Managing Director effective July 18th. 

Brad joined the WSAC staff in 2006 and has served in number capacities focusing on membership services, policy development and analysis, and most recently coordinating our Columbia River Program activities. 

Brad has a solid background in member services, public policy and the Washington State legislative process.  His background includes:

· Legislative Associate with the National Association of Counties
· Community Services Assistant with the National Association of Counties
· Bachelor of Arts, The Catholic University of America
· Master of the Arts, (Degree pending thesis completion), John Hopkins University
· Past Board Member, Thurston Community Television

Please join us in welcoming, supporting, and encouraging Brad as he takes on this new challenge as the Interim WSALPHO Managing Director.

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The biannual membership meeting of the Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials (WSALPHO) was held June 8 at the offices of the Spokane Regional Health District. In attendance were Administrators, Directors, Health Officers, Community Health Directors and Environmental Health Directors from many of Washington's 35 local health jurisdictions.  Eric Johnson, WSAC Executive Director, attended a portion of the event and provided a WSAC update to the membership.

Some of the pressing issues facing local governmental health were presented and discussed among the members. Those issues presenting both challenges and opportunities include the membership's role in national healthcare reform and convening our local medical providers in coordinating care, public health standards and agency accreditation, the economy and its impact on delivering population health services, WSALPHO's strategic planning efforts, a beginning look at regionalization of some local public health activities, and results of a survey examining the relevancy of WSALPHO to small and medium local health jurisdictions.

Other highlights of the meeting included conversations on the recent legislative session, enhancing WSALPHOs relationship with WSAC, coordination with state agencies and tribes, a collaboration on public health improvements, and updates on the national public health picture. 

Three Initiatives Turned into the Secretary of State

Note: WSAC is providing this article solely for informational purposes and does not take any position on proposed initiatives.
 

Initiative proponents had to turn in all of the signature sheets by 5:00 pm, July 8th for verification. To qualify for the Nov. 8 ballot, at least 241,153 valid voter signatures are required.
 

The following three initiatives were turned in for verification:

 · I-1125: Backed by Mr. Tim Eyman. This measure would prohibit motor vehicle fund revenue and vehicle toll revenue from being used for non-transportation purposes. It would prohibit non-highway use of state highway lanes funded by gas taxes or vehicle tolls. It would require the legislature to set tolls, and would provide that a toll on a particular road or bridge, including the Interstate 90 floating bridge, could be used only for construction, operation, or maintenance of that particular road or bridge.
 

 · I-1163: Backed by Service Employees International Union (SEIU). This measure would reinstate training, background checks and other requirements for homecare workers that voters approved just a few years ago in a similar initiative. The Legislature did not fund a similar previous measure.
 

 · I-1183: Backed by Costco, restaurants and grocers. This measure would close state liquor stores and sell their assets including the liquor distribution center. The state would license private parties to distribute spirits and to sell spirits in retail stores meeting certain criteria, subject to specified training and compliance requirements. The measure establishes licensing fees for sale and distribution of spirits based on the licensee's sales revenues. It would change some wine distribution laws and allow non-uniform wholesale pricing for wine and spirits.

Meet WSAC Members, Commissioners Scott Hutsell and Jerry Lingle

We hope you enjoy this new Insider series designed to help members connect with those they may not already know, and to feature the talents and diversity of the Association's members. This month, we feature Mason County Commissioner Jerry Lingle and Scott Hutsell, Lincoln County Commissioner. Thanks to both of these members for agreeing to be first out of the block! If you are interested in becoming a featured member, please contact Michelle Nelson.

Lincoln County Commissioner Scott Hutsell

What surprised you most about the Commissioner's role?
I knew it would be a learning experience but had no idea of range topics I would be addressing. And this was after attending every county meeting the year before I ran. I knew all but eight people on the county staff roll by first name prior to running. I can see courthouse flag from my house - I thought I knew what was going on, but I didn't really know what was going on!

Read the interview with Commissioner Hutsell 

Mason County Commissioner Jerry Lingle

What are the most pressing issues you are dealing with right now?

One of his other priorities is less an issue, but a skill - to stay focused to make sure that your individual opinion does not inappropriately prejudice decision making and to stay as neutral as possible until it is time to make a decision.  This skill was tested early with a proposed biofuels project what generated many community opinions and public comments.   

Read the interview with Commissioner Lingle

Members Appointed to Statewide Boards & Commissioners

Governor Chris Gregoire has appointed the following members to these entities:

• Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart was reappointed to a four year term on the Public Works Board
• Commissioner Sharon Dillon, Skagit County, has been appointed to the Joint Executive-Legislative Workgroup on Tribal Retrocession 
• Kitsap County Commissioner Josh Brown as appointed to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board
• Lincoln County Commissioner Rob Coffman was appointed to the Emergency Medical Services/Trauma Care Steering Committee

Thanks to these members for representing counties on a statewide basis. 

Garfield County Celebrates Refurbished Courthouse

On Friday, June 24 Garfield County rededicated its courthouse, after a painsaking restoration helped in part by a grant from the state's Historic County Courthouse Restoration Program.

The effort, led by Garfield County Commissioner and WSAC Past President Dean Burton, consisted of a complete gutting of the interior, safety and ADA additions, and additional amenities for modern office operations. Most of the original beautifully handcrafted woodwork and other aspects were preserved, leaving a county jewel that is both updated and historically significant.

Commissioner Dean Burton showcases the renewed county courtroom.

Congratulations to Commissioner Burton, the entire Garfield County family, and all those who contributed and labored on the project!

Eastern Washington Counties Top Growth Percentage Rankings

The Office of Financial Management reported late last month that Washington state's population continues to grow, but at a slower rate. The 2011 population estimate prepared by OFM places Washington's population at 6,767,900 as of April 1, 2011. This represents an increase of 43,360, or a growth rate of just 0.64 percent from the state's official 2010 census count.

This unexpected slowdown in population growth is due to the slower than expected economic recovery, which affects two components of population change: natural increase (the number of births minus deaths) and migration.

Statewide, 57 percent of population growth between 2010 and 2011 took place in the Puget Sound region counties of King (11,400), Kitsap (2,800), Pierce (6,900) and Snohomish (3,700).

Four of the five counties experiencing the highest percentage of population growth are located in Eastern Washington. Franklin County gained nearly 3 percent after a decade of strong growth. Benton County grew 1.6 percent and Adams County grew 1.2 percent. Kitsap and Grant counties each had a growth rate of 1.1 percent. Consequently, the total percentage growth for Eastern Washington is at 0.70 percent, which is slightly higher than the 0.63 percent growth rate for the western portion of the state. 

Read entire OFM news release

Information on OFM's April 1, 2011, population estimates for cities, towns and counties is available at http://www.ofm.wa.gov/pop/april1/

Information on the 2010 census is available at http://www.ofm.wa.gov/pop/census2010/

Voluntary Stewardship Program Webinar

WHO: County Commissioners, County Council Members, County Executives, County Planners, and County Government Liaisons
WHAT: Webinar Sponsored by WSAC and the Washington State Conservation Commission on Implementing HB 1886, Voluntary Stewardship Program
WHEN: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Thursday, July 28th
HOW: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/832642344

 
This free webinar is an informational Session on the Ruckelshaus Process - Implementing the Voluntary Stewardship Program. The new Voluntary Stewardship Program allows a county to protect critical areas associated with agricultural activities via a voluntary stewardship program rather that the traditional regulatory approach within the Growth Management Act.  
 

Product Stewardship Strategies for Local Governments

Sponsored by Seattle Public Utilities, Northwest Product Stewardship Council and EPA Region X
Friday, July 22, 2011:  8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Founders' Room, Benaroya Hall, downtown Seattle, Washington.
This is a free conference, but RSVP required to eberley.wedlake@seattle.gov

The conference will provide municipal, county and state elected officials, local government policy staff, and solid waste industry stakeholders with an understanding of product stewardship, an overview of product stewardship policies and regulations currently in place in the U.S. and Canada, and an introduction to the kinds of local and state product stewardship legislation that may be used to reduce waste and increase recycling.

Annual State Land Acquisition Coordinating Forum

US DOT TIGER III Grant Program and Video Seminar

Monday, July 19
More information about TIGER III Grant Program
To register for the video seminar: http://www.dot.gov/tiger/

Onsite Sewage System (OSS) Management Grant

Local Health Jurisdictions adjacent to Puget Sound are eligible for a grant from The Departments of Health and Ecology for onsite sewage system management.  Proposals should describe how funds will be used to carry out onsite sewage system management plans that inventory, inspect, and fix failing onsite sewage systems in Marine Recovery Areas and other areas sensitive to pathogen pollution.
Applications are due July 29 
 

USDA Rural Development Grant

Almost $2.5 million is available through USDA Rural Development's Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) program. The program promotes sustainable economic development in rural communities and regions with exceptional needs.
Applications are due August 1 

FMSIB issues 2011 Call for Projects

The Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board is issuing a call for projects to maintain a six-year list of active projects. Due to a favorable construction environment, FMSIB has been able to advance more projects than anticipated during the current biennium. To be able to maintain an active six-year list of projects, the Board will need to add additional freight projects to our list. The Board is seeking eligible projects that would be ready to go to construction during the 2013 to 2019 time frame. State policy makers are developing a new revenue package to be considered by the 2012 Legislature with additional funding for transportation programs including FMSIB. If the revenue package is approved there may be an opportunity to fund earlier construction starts.
Completed applications are due by close of business on August 26, 2011.
Applications are available online

Revenue Issues Advisory on Amusement and Recreation Services Fees

The final Excise Tax Advisory entitled "Taxability of Fees Charged for Amusement and Recreation Services" has been issued by the Washington State Department of Revenue.

Affected parties have until October 1, 2011 to make the required system changes.

More information and the full ETA