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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for December 2023

Three people work on an architectural model of a small city

Financing Tools for Downtown Revitalization

December 20, 2023  by  Eric Lowell
Category:  Finance ,  Sales and Use Taxes ,  Downtown Revitalization Series

Whether it's tax-increment financing, a sales tax credit, participation in the statewide Main Street Program, incentives like the multi-family tax exemption, or state-based grants, cities have several fiscal mechanisms for encouraging downtown development. 

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A series of 4 bars increasing in height with up arrow across the top

Salary Increases Coming in 2024 for Many Special Purpose District Officials

December 18, 2023  by  Cheryl Grant
Category:  Compensation ,  Special Districts

Every five years elected commissioners, board members, supervisors, and directors of special purpose districts receive increases in compensation as established by the Washington State Office of Financial Management. The next increases take effect January 1, 2024.

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Two people ride bikes through a park

Recapping the November 2023 Local Ballot Measure Results

December 13, 2023  by  Steve Hawley
Category:  Courts and Criminal Justice System ,  Parks and Recreation Finance ,  Housing ,  Emergency Medical Services ,  Elections ,  Fire Protection ,  Homelessness ,  Law Enforcement

There were a 113 ballot measures before voters this past November, in an off-year election that drew record-low voter turnouts. How did that impact levy lid lifts requests, newly proposed districts, or citizen's initiatives? 

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A snow tractor plowing a small town street

New Law Doubles Limits for Municipal Officers’ Beneficial Interest in Contracts with Their Agency

December 11, 2023  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Ethics and Conflicts of Interest

A 2023 bill made changes to the state's Code of Ethics for Municipal Officers, doubling the size of allowed contracts for elected officials with certain public agencies while also reducing the population limits for towns and cities from 10,000 to under 5,000.

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A backhoe shovels snow from in front of a government building into a dump truck

The Role of Cities and Counties in Keeping Winter Walking (and Driving) Safe

December 6, 2023  by  MRSC Insight
Category:  Snow and Ice Removal

When winter approaches, a local government should encourage property owners to maintain sidewalks and keep them safe for pedestrians while also ensuring that it has a well-thought-out plan for keeping municipal roadways safe and navigable.

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Red stamp labeled cancelled set against business to do list

Best Laid Plans: Following the OPMA When Adjourning or Canceling a Public Meeting

December 4, 2023  by  Sarah Doar
Category:  Open Public Meetings Act

Sometimes a public meeting cannot occur at the scheduled time. When unforeseen circumstances intervene, procedures outlined in the Open Public Meetings Act allow an agency to adjourn any type of public meeting to a later time and place. Advance cancellation is also allowed.

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