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News & Tools for Washington's Counties |
February 2012 |
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SAVE THE DATES | |
WSAC's new Fifth Friday Forum webinar series
March 30; June 29;
Aug 31; and Nov 30
(10-11 am) |
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FEBRUARY SPONSOR | 
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Water Resources | |
County Commissioners Present to Columbia River Sovereign Review Team
On February 9th, several WSAC members presented information to the Columbia River Treaty Sovereign Review Team (SRT) to ask that they
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Columbia River at Rocky Butte, Douglas County |
assure there is a broad set of community interests included during the Columbia River Treaty Review Process. Initially, the SRT is focusing on flood control, hydropower, and ecosystem benefits. WSAC members expressed their belief that there is a need for a broader set of issues to be included such as water supply and storage for instream and out of stream uses, industrial and municipal supply, irrigation for agriculture, and recreation.
Kittitas County Commissioner Paul Jewell, who is also Chair of the Columbia River County Commissioners Policy Advisory Group, opened the comments by focusing on the fact that as local elected officials in eastern Washington, he and his colleagues represent local communities, constituents and varied interests. He noted that County Commissioners have both statutory and political responsibilities to look toward the future of their communities that includes the full suite of community interests necessary to support vibrant and successful communities.
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| State Forecasts | |
Caseloads down, revenue projection up $96 million
For the first time since September 2010, the state fiscal projections are somewhat positive: first the State Caseload Forecast Council said that due largely to reduced student enrollment and use of state health care programs for the poor, they forecasted a reduction in demand of more than $300 million. Yesterday, the state's revenue forecast shows projected General Fund revenue for the 2011-13 biennium up by $96 million, compared to the previous quarterly forecast in November.
"This forecast reflects the modest change we've seen in recent indicators," said Steve Lerch, the interim chief economist for the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. "There are some significant uncertainties right now in the world economy, but the underlying trend for the U.S. and Washington economies is still slow growth."
The new forecast increases total projected General Fund revenue for the biennium to about $30.3 billion.
Together these projections close some of the $855 billion gap that legislators are seeking to fill in order to pass a balanced budget.
"While it's nice to finally see a glimmer of good news in our economy and revenue picture, we still have a very big problem to handle," said Marty Brown, director of the state Office of Financial Management. "We look forward to working the Legislature over these next few weeks to find a balanced solution to our budget shortfall."
Revenue Forecast Details
Caseload Forecast Council Details |
| Legislative Notes | |
House committee passes Secure Rural Schools, PILT bill
Yesterday the House Natural Resources Committee passed H.R. 4019, the Federal Forest County Revenue, Schools and Jobs Act of 2012, by a vote of 26 to 17.
The bill creates a County, Schools and Revenue Trust to provide a dependable source of revenue for rural counties that currently depend on SRS and authorizes a five year extension of the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program.
"Today we acted to take the first step in helping rural communities get back on their feet. Congress needs to act on Secure Rural Schools in a way that creates jobs and provides long-term economic and revenue certainty. This plan will revitalize rural economies and create much-needed jobs by allowing communities to actively manage their forests through safe, responsible timber production," said Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings.
Read Natural Resources Commitee news release
WSAC Legislative Steering Committee Members updated on medical cannabis
On Wednesday evening, February 15th, WSAC Legislative Steering Committee members received an update on what counties were doing to implement SB 5073 - Medical Cannabis Collective Gardens that was passed during last year's legislative session.
To date, only one county (Lewis) has adopted an ordinance outlining the requirements to site/permit a Medical Cannabis Collective Garden. Several counties have put in place a moratorium and are developing and/or considering ordinances consistent with the new statute. The vast majority of counties have decided to not act at this time. The following links will provide you:
- A PowerPoint presentation prepared by Brian Enslow provided to members of WSAC Legislative Steering Committee on Wednesday night.
- A copy of a letter from Clark County Board of Commissioners to the Department of Justice.
- A copy of a letter from the Department of Justice in response to the letter from Clark County Board of Commissioners
- A summary of a survey that provides a status for what counties are doing in response to SB 5073.
- Lewis County's Ordinance permitting such collective gardens providing a "federal license" has been issued.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact WSAC Executive Director Eric Johnson or WSAC Policy Director Brian Enslow.
Human Services and Public Health discussion draws crowd
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Doug Porter, Robin Arnold-Williams, Mary Selecky |
On the evening of February 2, more than 30 members and guests participated in a discussion about public health and human services issues and budgets with three state agency directors. This is the second year the agency directors have joined WSAC for such an exchange.
This year we were joined by Department of Health Secretary Mary Selecky, Secretary Robin Arnold-Williams of the Department of Social and Health Services, and Doug Porter, Director of the Health Care Authority. WSAC would like to thank all three for their time and partnership with counties.
 Each director provided a snapshot of budget proposals and legislative issues. Other topics included state plans around purchasing and delivery of services; Regional Service Network (RSN) redesign; DOH funding challenges; and regional partnership work. The session ended with a lively question and answer forum.
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Member Interview and News | |
Meet WSAC Member Jim Jeffords
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Jim Jeffords, Asotin County Commissioner |
What is the most surprising thing you discovered in your first year as County Commissioner?
I had been warned on the campaign trail that there are a lot of committee liaison responsibilities, and keeping up with those meeting schedules and the content is like "drinking from a fire hose." The learning curve is a vertical line. Slowly but surely I've learned the acronyms and become familiar with the people and the issues. I currently serve on 16 committees through our board assignments.
I am never bored and, in fact, enjoy being a Commissioner better than the human resources realm of my past because it is so varied. Before becoming an elected official, I never really understood public works... but it is our biggest department and budget so I am getting the opportunity to do so.
Read the entire interview with Commissioner Jeffords
Member News
Walla Walla Commissioner Gregg Loney will be stepping down from the board April 30, due to health reasons. He has served as Commissioner since 2005. We wish Commissioner Loney the best. Read his letter to his seat mates
Statewide boards & commission activity
The WSAC Executive Committee appointed Commissioner Mike Doherty, Clallam County, to the Department of Ecology's Oil Spill Rule Advisory Committee and San Juan County Councilmember Lovel Pratt as the alternate.
Governor Gregoire appointed William Kehoe, King County Chief Information Officer, to the newly created state Technology Services Board as the county representative.
County grant announcements
Pierce County announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allocated $450,000 to the Puyallup River Executive Task Force, a multi jurisdictional effort, to continue a study of strategies to address flooding along the Puyallup River. Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy calls the project a high priority.
Several counties are included on a list of proposed grant recipients for the Department of Ecology's clean water project integrated funding program, a mixture of federal and state monies. Funding needs to be approved in the next biennial state budget before grants will be awarded. The proposed projects include upgrading wastewater systems and expanding monitoring efforts.
See the proposed funding list (Appendix 3, Projects 1 - 58) |
| County Representative | |
Meet your new WSAC representative to the Washington Community Forestry Council Executive Advisory Committee: Sheila L. Gray
Sheila is the Washington State University (WSU) Lewis County Extension Director located in Chehalis Washington. She has been with the WSU Extension since 1995. Her first county agent appointment was in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties from 1995 to 2003; she has been in Lewis County since 2003.
Prior to her tenure with WSU she worked for the Department of Natural Resources at the Webster Forest Nursery. Her background is in horticulture and natural resources, plus she enjoys the benefits of trees in our communities.
The mission of this committee is to provide leadership to create self-sustaining urban and community forestry programs that preserve, plant and manage forests and tress for public benefits and quality of life. You may have heard about the Tree City USA or Tree Campus USA programs throughout the state as well as Arbor Day events. This committee is very of supportive of communities participating in these programs and is here to help guide you through the process to achieve these designations and celebrate Arbor Events.
Her role is to represent the counties via WSAC in regards to the above goals. Let her know how to help your county and communities to achieve local community forestry goals. Her contact information is sgray@wsu.edu or (360) 740-1214. |
| Public Health | |
Improving Networking and Communication for Local Boards of Health
The Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials (WSALPHO) is currently working to create a "forum" where local boards of health from across the state will be able to network and share ideas and concerns about the public health issues facing Washington's counties.
The three primary goals of this forum will be:
- To exchange information among the District Boards of Health.
- To coordinate policies and programs among the thirty-five (35) local health jurisdictions.
- To pursue new, as well as amend existing public health laws, standards, regulations, and rules to prevent disease, disability and premature death; to promote healthy lifestyles; and to protect and promote the health and quality of our environment.
WSAC has been very supportive and a special thanks is due to Clark County Commissioner Marc Boldt and King County Councilmember Joe McDermott for their sustained efforts in getting this concept off the ground. You will be receiving updates and additional information as this effort moves forward. The hope is to have this group hold its first meeting in mid-June. If you have interest in being more involved, please contact Brad Banks, WSALPHO Managing Director, at bbanks@wacounties.org or (360)489-3011. |
| Federal Grant Opportunities for Counties | |
TIGER IV application submittals are being accepted now
There is $500 million available nationwide for this federal transportation program.
Pre-applications are being accepted; providing basic information to validate eligibility must be submitted by February 20, 2012.
Final applications are due March 19, 2012. Note that an applicant may submit no more than three applications.
To submit your application or if you have any questions, please contact the TIGER Discretionary Grant program staff via email at TIGERGrants@dot.gov, or call Howard Hill at (202) 366-0301.
FY 2012 TIGER Notice of Funding Availability
USDOT TIGER website
Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant
HUD is now accepting applications for a total of $110 million in grants to transform public and assisted housing and to revitalize communities under its Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant program. The program is open to public housing authorities, local governments, nonprofit organizations, tribal entities, and for profit developers that apply jointly with a public entity to extend neighborhood transformation efforts beyond public and/or assisted housing. Applications are due April 10th. |
| Job Announcements | |
Although WSAC does not usually list individual job announcements, these three caught our eye recently:
The Growth Management Hearings Board has one current and two upcoming openings, which are Governor appointments.
More information and to apply
Chelan County is searching for a Director for their Regional Justice Center (Jail) To apply
Skagit County Public Works Department seeks a Public Works Controller to plan, organize, and manage their accounting section To apply
You can find links to all county and partner employement pages here.
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| NACo News | |
NACo Webinar on Feb. 23, 11-12:15 p.m. PST
Health Coverage for Your County Jail's Pretrial Population
Through the Affordable Care Act many uninsured, low-income individuals-some of whom will be involved in the criminal justice system-will become eligible for Medicaid and subsidized private health plans in 2014. Learn about the possible opportunities for individuals being held pretrial in county jails to gain health coverage, issues counties may face enrolling people in custody into appropriate plans and the potential fiscal relief this may offer counties.
Register for the free webinar
Get ready for National County Government Month
 National County Government Month (NCGM) is celebrated each April by the nation's counties to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of county government. The 2012 theme is "Healthy Counties, Healthy Families."
NACo provides a handbook and other tools for counties to use when implementing a campaign locally.
If you plan activities please let WSAC know so that we can share your efforts with other counties.
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| Cooperative Purchasing Program | |
One-stop Marketplace now offers contract comparisons, ease of ordering
U.S. Communities has launched a new online Marketplace that integrates many suppliers into one location and allows counties to make purchases through one system, accessing those contracts under the government purchasing alliance. Purchase order, P-card and credit card purchasing is available.
In addition, U.S. Communities announced these recently added contracts:
- Safeware-Mallory - Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness: this contract covers all types of gear for police, fire, and other emergency responders. They also provide equipment for road crews, like orange vests and cones. Mallory, the portion of the company that services the west coast was known in Washington as Safety and Supply until last year.
- CarQuest - Auto Parts and Accessories: This contract covers all fleet maintenance supplies, including parts for light, medium, and heavy duty vehicles.
- Empire Today - Flooring Products and Accessories, Installation and Related Services: This contract covers all types of carpet and flooring and installation
U.S. Communities is endorsed by NACo and WSAC. More information about the program, which is voluntary and free to counties. |
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