Washington State Association of Counties



Washington Association of County Officials

Washington State Association of Counties

The Courthouse Journal

September 19, 2002 ( Issue No. 36

Our Apologies!

The Washington Counties’ Building Server crashed and smoked last Thursday as this edition of the Courthouse Journal was being prepared. Luckily, it could be repaired over the weekend and it is now business as usual. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Courthouse Journal News!

The next edition of the Courthouse Journal is scheduled for October 10. There will not be another publication this week. Beginning on October 10 until the Legislative Session in January of 2003, you will receive the Courthouse Journal every two weeks.

October 12 Is Deadline for State to Appeal Judges Benefits Decision

Judge Pro Tem Robert J. Doran on September 12 entered his Final Order and Judgment declaring that counties are not required to pay 50 percent of the cost of fringe benefits for Superior Court judges. The State of Washington has until October 12 to file an appeal.

If the state does not appeal, the nine named plaintiff counties will automatically receive full reimbursement of contributions for judges’ benefits during this biennium. The other 30 counties may be able to use a claims process or file suit to recover their contributions. Judge Doran did not require reimbursement of any contributions made prior to the current biennium.

The full text of Judge Doran’s Final Order and a staff memo were emailed on September 17 to all county commissioners, councilmembers, executives, and policy staff. Please contact WSAC staff Sophia Byrd at sbyrd@ or 360-753-1886 to have the documents re-sent or faxed.

After decades of the state paying full benefits for Superior Court judges, the Legislature in 1994 began requiring through budget provisos that the counties pay half the benefits – about $1 million per year. In Thurston County et. al. v. State Judge Doran found that the budget provisos violated the state Constitution. Judge Doran issued a memorandum opinion in the case on July 31. The opinion is summarized in the August 8 Courthouse Journal, and the full text is available electronically from WSAC staff or Thurston County Superior Court.

Budget, Finance and Taxes

State Revenues and Employment Continue to Drop

On September 17, the state’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council met to hear the latest revenue forecast from Dr. Chang Mook Sohn, the state’s official forecaster. The news was not good.

The forecast for the remaining nine months of fiscal year 2003 dropped by $34 million. This brought the total decline since the biennial budget was adopted to $1.427 billion. The forecast for the upcoming 2003-2005 biennium was reduced by $265 million. This brought the size of the state general fund budget problem for 2003-05 to $2 billion.

Dr. Sohn explained that the economic downturn in Washington was highly concentrated. Three counties, King, Snohomish and Island account for 90% of the job loss and 95% of the income loss. He said that he expected the recovery to take four years rather than the usual two. In response to reporter’s questions, some members of the Council noted that the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors felt Washington had reached the bottom of its downturn, but would probably bounce around on the bottom for two years because of the outlook for some of its dominant industries, including commercial aircraft.

On the same day the state Employment Security Department released unemployment figures which showed the unemployment rate growing from 7.1% in July to 7.2% in August. This is in contrast to national figures which dropped from 5.9 in July to 5.7% in August. In the last year, employment in the state has declined by 50,100. Sixty percent of the decline has been in the manufacturing sector, where Boeing and its subcontractors play a large role.

WACO/WSAC 2002 Joint Conference Info

WACO/WSAC Joint Conference News

Plans for the 1st WACO/WSAC Joint Conference are being finalized, and we are ready for one of the most exciting conferences you have attended in quite some time! September 30 through October 4 are the meetings dates at the Wenatchee Convention Center. As most people are aware, accommodations at the West Coast Wenatchee Center

Hotel have been full for nearly a month, but the Red Lion Hotel (509-663-0711) in Wenatchee still has rooms available as well as the Comfort Inn (509-662-1700). If you still need help with arrangements, please call our office and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Officers of WSAC, WACO and the Association of Washington Cities are working hard to develop a joint legislative package to benefit all of the counties and cities. On Thursday morning a joint legislative package will be presented to the WACO and WSAC memberships.

The “Human Resources: Understanding the Legal Issues of Managing Public Employees” CPO training still has openings for all county officials, department heads and employees on Monday, September 30 and Tuesday, October 1, so it is not too late to sign up for an excellent overview of managing personnel while minimizing the regal risk for your county and yourself. The laws relating to public employment have changed dramatically over the last decade and the risks associated with non-compliance have risen sharply. If you are interested in attending please contact Dema Harris at 360-753-7319.

Attached to this issue of the Courthouse Journal is an updated agenda for the conference and another copy of the registration form for your convenience. If you plan on attending please fax your registration to Brenda Bamford at 360-664-2812 as soon as possible.

See you in Wenatchee!

2002 – 2003 Slate of Candidates for the WACO Board of Trustees

The following slate of candidates will be presented at the WACO/WSAC Joint Conference to the WACO membership:

President: Greg Zempel, Kittitas County Prosecuting Attorney

President – Elect: Mary E. Dodge, Douglas County Treasurer

Vice President: Tom Fallquist, Spokane County Clerk

Secretary-Treasurer: Kenneth Kunes, Grant County Clerk

Position 2: Greg Sandstrom, Kitsap County Coroner

Position 4: Donna Eldridge, Jefferson County Auditor

On Wednesday morning, October 2, the Nominating Committee will introduce the candidates. There are currently no contested races. Additional candidates who would like their names submitted may be nominated from the floor at the conference. The polls will open from 1:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday and from 8:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Thursday. The WACO Bylaws do not permit voting by proxy.

The votes will be tallied by the Nominating Committee following lunch on Thursday. The new WACO Board of Trustees will be announced and installed at the banquet on Thursday evening.

Transportation and Public Works

State Funds Available for Rail Safety Projects

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC), through its Rail Safety Division, has funds available for grade crossing safety projects that upgrade or install signaling and other warning devices at rail/highway intersections. The funds currently available require a local contribution of 30 percent. If interested in applying for these funds, contact Mike Rowswell, Rail Safety Director, at (360) 664-1265 or mrowswell@wutc..

The WUTC is also interested in feedback from local governments who have rail safety projects that do not fit the above description. The WUTC may seek authorization from the Legislature to make this program more flexible, by allowing a broader array of safety projects and requiring no local contribution. In particular, they are interested in:

• Proposed projects that do not qualify for federal funds under the Federal Rail Administration’s crossing safety program;

• Proposed projects to improve pedestrian safety in and near rail right-of-ways;

• Creative or innovative solutions to rail safety problems;

• Equipment or technology that would improve enforcement at rail crossings or trespassing on tracks or other rail property.

To provide feedback on these questions, contact Beth Redfield, Policy Director, at (360) 664-1206 or bredfield@wutc..

Environment, Land Use and Resources

Your USFS P.L. 106-393 Funds May Be in Jeopardy!

The deadline for counties to decide how to distribute their P.L. 106-393 funds between Titles I, II, and III is rapidly approaching.  County elections of their fund distribution must be to the Secretary of Agriculture by September 30.  WSAC has agreed to consolidate the results of the county elections and forward them to the Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service (USFS).  Cynthia Sachs-Bustos is compiling the results and plans to forward the data to the USFS on Wednesday, September 25 in order to assure that we meet the September 30th deadline.  Many of the affected counties have already sent their election results to WSAC.  If your county has not responded, please fax the results of your decisions to Cynthia as soon as possible.  WSAC's fax number is (360) 753-2842.

 

P.L. 106-393 states "If an eligible county fails to make an election by that date (September 30th), the county is deemed to have elected to expend 85% of the funds to be received under this section (Title I)...and shall remit the balance to the Federal Treasury..."  Failure to respond eliminates the county's option for dedicating any funds to either Title II or III.  If you are one of those counties from whom WSAC has not yet received its allocation decision, your time is running out.

Boards and Commissions

NACo President Appoints Washington Officials to Committees

NACo President, Ken Mayfield, has announced his appointments to the NACo Steering Committees and Deferred Compensation Advisory Committee.

Serving as vice-chair of the Transportation Steering Committee is Leo Bowman, Benton County Commissioner and Ted Anderson, Skagit County Commissioner will serve as vice-chair of Public Lands

Kirke Sievers, Snohomish Councilmember, will serve as Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Sub-committee Chair while Dewey Desler, Whatcom County Deputy County Administrator, will serve as a sub-committee vice-chair for Health.

Other members appointed to date are, Sue Miller, Franklin County Commissioner, to Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and Mike Chapman, Clallam County Commissioner, to Justice & Public Safety.

If other members who have served on NACo Steering Committees in the past or others would like to join a committee, please contact the WSAC office as soon as possible for an application.

County Representative Needed for Governor’s Juvenile

Justice Advisory Committee

The Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee (GJJAC) needs a county elected official to serve on the Committee. Commissioner Oberquell has filled this position in the past but according to the Committee’s Executive Director, the county position is currently vacant. The post is a gubernatorial appointment.

The GJJAC was created through an Executive Order in 1982 to implement the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act in Washington State. Members of the Committee are juvenile justice professionals and knowledgeable private citizens, and represent all sectors of the juvenile justice system and all geographical areas of the state. The 24-member Committee is currently chaired by Marilee Roloff, President/CEO of Volunteers of America of Spokane. The Committee is committed to developing and implementing effective methods of preventing delinquency, improving the quality of juvenile justice, providing policy recommendations to the Governor, the Legislature, the Department of Social and Health Services, and other organizations as well educating the public. It administers a number of federal and state juvenile delinquency prevention grants totaling approximately $2.4 million in federal funds and another $2.7 million in state funds. The Committee generally meets about 5 – 6 times a year. For 2003, the meetings are scheduled for January 24, March 28, May 23, July 25, and October 24. The Committee is independently staffed although it is housed in DSHS’ Administrative Services cluster.

If you are interested in serving on the Committee, please provide a letter of interest to Jean Wessman, WSAC Staff. The deadline is September 30 in order to bring the nominations forward to the Board of Directors meeting in Wenatchee on October 1.

WSAC Member Needed For Separation-of-Powers Committee

The state Board for Judicial Administration (BJA), the policy-setting body for Washington’s courts, is forming a Court Independence Response Team (CIRT) as a forum for discussing and resolving issues that arise between a court and the local executive or legislative authority.

The BJA is forming this committee in recognition that issues of court independence and separation-of-powers can become a significant source of conflict. There currently is no mechanism – short of litigation – to resolve these issues.

WSAC has been asked to nominate a representative to the new CIRT committee; final appointment will be by the Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court. The WSAC representative may be an elected official or his or her designee. The BJA is seeking nominees with a strong understanding of their respective branch of government and a willingness to work cooperatively to address issues arising between the judicial and legislative or executive branches of government.

WSAC members or their staff who would like to participate in the CIRT committee should send a brief statement of interest to WSAC staff Sophia Byrd at sbyrd@ no later than Friday, September 27. The WSAC Board of Directors, at its October 1 meeting, will select up to three nominees to forward to the Chief Justice for his final selection.

The first CIRT meeting likely will occur in late October. BJA staff anticipate that the committee will conduct the majority of its business via email or conference call.

CIRT membership will be broad based, modeled on the state Bench-Bar-Press Committee, which has been successful in mediating differences between the judicial system and the media regarding media coverage of court proceedings. At a minimum, members will represent trial court judges, trial court administrators, cites, counties, city attorneys, county prosecutors and public defenders.

Elections, Recording and Licensing

Primary Election Results

The unofficial results from the September 17 primary election were e-mailed to all county offices last Wednesday. County Auditors’ offices will not certify the election until September 27, and there are still many absentee ballots to be counted. In a partisan primary election where two or more candidates appeared on the ballot, only the person who receives the most votes will move onto the November ballot. In a nonpartisan race the two top vote getters will appear on the November ballot.

General Government & Miscellaneous

Rural Broadband Grant Program Available

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service is offering a grant program to provide broadband transmission service in rural America.

For FY 2002, $20 million in grants will be made available through a national competition to applicants proposing to provide broadband transmission service on a “community-oriented connectivity” basis. The “community-oriented connectivity” approach will target rural, economically challenged communities and offer a means for the deployment of broadband transmission services to rural schools, libraries, education centers, health care providers, and public safety organizations, as well as residents and businesses. This all-encompassing connectivity concept will give small, rural communities a chance to benefit from advanced technologies that foster economic growth, increase quality education and health care opportunities, and enhance public safety efforts.

Eligible applicants must be: A) either a public body; an Indian tribe; a cooperative, nonprofit, limited dividend or mutual association; a municipality; an incorporated or limited liability company; or other legally organized entity (may not be an individual or partnership); and B) have the legal authority to own and operate the broadband facilities as proposed in its application, to enter into contracts, and to otherwise comply with applicable federal statutes and regulations. The minimum matching contribution must equal 15 percent of the grant amount requested.

Applications will be accepted through November 5. For further information, contact Roberta D. Purcell, assistant administrator, USDA Telecommunications Program, at 202-720-9554. Online information and application guidance may be accessed at rus/telecom/initiatives/index_initiatives.html.

County and Regional Planning Directors Meet

Sixteen members of the WSAC affiliate for planning directors, the Washington State Association of County and Regional Planning Directors (WSACRPD), attended their annual joint conference with their city counterparts in Chelan on September 11-13. The theme for the conference was “Building Livable, Healthy and Vibrant Communities.”

Sessions at the conference included presentations by Mark Hinshaw, noted planner, architect and author and by Jim Reid of The Cascade Center. The conference provided an opportunity for planning directors to have interactive discussions with representatives of the departments of Transportation, Ecology and Community, Trade and Economic Development; and several roundtable discussions addressing issues such as annexation, cost recovery of permits, rural development and low impact development standards. Scott Merriman, WSAC, led WSACRPD discussions on upcoming legislative efforts.

Special recognition was given to Terry Marden, Benton County, marking his 30 years of professional planning service to his community. Also honored was Bruce Freeland, Kitsap County. Bruce will be taking his 33 years of planning experience into retirement at the end of this year. The counties and the cities will miss his thoughtful insight to our profession.

The planning directors established a scholarship program to help county and city planning directors defray the cost of tuition at The Cascade Center at the University of Washington’s Dan Evans School for Governmental Affairs. Initial funding for the scholarship program is provided by proceeds from a lively auction of products and entertainment/recreation events donated by conference participants.

WSACRPD officers for the 2002-2004 term are: President Andy Meyer, Clallam County; President-Elect Jerrod MacPherson, Franklin County; Western Vice President Phil Bakke, Island County; Eastern Vice President Connie Krueger, Walla Walla County; and Secretary/Treasurer Mark Kulaas, Douglas County. Dick Anderwald, Yakima County, will be serving in the office of Past President for a 15th year.

Members of the WSACRPD attending the joint legislative conference in Wenatchee will meet from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Tuesday, October 1 at the Red Lion.

Courthouse Ramblings

The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) is moving to a new location. The office will be closed for business on September 27 and 30. They will be moving to their new office headquarters in Lacey and will open for business on October 1 at the new location. Please make a note of this change: WASPC, 3060 Willamette Drive NE, Lacey, WA 98516, phone (360) 486-2380, fax (360) 486-2381, .

Upcoming Events and Training

Economic Development Training Opportunities

The Washington Economic Development Association is presenting a workshop titled "Evaluating, Developing & Pre-permitting Industrial Sites: Key Factors to Success in Business Development" on October 22nd. The workshop instructors are Gregg R. Dohrn, AICP and Stephen G. Lewis, both with over 20 years experience in community and economic development. The Washington Economic Development Association is an organization of economic development professionals throughout the state of Washington.

Mr. Dohrn is responsible for the design and implementation of many of the States community and economic development programs including the Local Development Matching Funds Program, the Development Loan Fund, Mainstreet, Economically Distressed Areas programs, Community Development Block Grant programs and many others. Mr. Lewis has worked with cities, counties, ports and EDC's in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, Montana, Missouri, Nevada and New Mexico with economic development, industrial development and transportation related issues. He is the author of “A Community Guide to Industrial Development. “

The workshop will take place in Seattle at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Meeting Room 2AB, from 8:00 – 12:00. Cost is $65.

To register, link to .

Regional Economic Development Efforts to Begin

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges is supporting a regional economic development effort beginning with a statewide meeting on October 29 followed by a series of 5 regional work meetings between November 4 and November 15. The purpose of the statewide meeting is to review the results of a study just completed from the Northwest Policy Center (NWPC) on the key industries and occupational openings in each region of the state.

Expected outcomes are support for a regional approach to strengthening Washington’s economy, expanding partnerships in each region, and developing regional plans to meet the needs identified in NWPC study in order to secure 2003-04 funding. Governor Locke, Don Brunell from the Association of Washington Business , and Rick Bender from the Labor Council will participate, among others from the public and private sector. This meeting will take place at South Seattle CC and be broadcast out to regions via K-20 network. 

 

To attend one of the meetings, please e-mail Rich Nafziger at: rnafziger@sbctc.ctc.edu.

AWC, WSAC Sponsor Pipeline Safety Workshops

The Association of Washington Cities (AWC) and the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) are sponsoring workshops around the state to inform local government officials and first responders about the dangers of natural gas pipelines and new legislation that can help communities stay safe from pipeline hazards. County commissioners and emergency management professionals are encouraged to attend.

More than 27 counties and 120 cities in Washington State are within one mile of a major natural gas pipeline. The 1999 rupture and explosion of the Olympic pipeline in Whatcom County greatly elevated public concern about how to improve pipeline safety.

Space is still available at the remaining half-day pipeline safety workshops. They are scheduled for: September 20 Vancouver; September 26 Tri-Cities; September 27 Spokane; October 10 Bellevue; and October 11 Bellingham. Each workshop runs from 9 a.m. to noon. To register, contact AWC at 360-753-4137.

The workshops will focus the Pipeline Safety Act of 2000 and amendments adopted by the 2001 Legislature, the One Call Law (RCW 19.122), community education resources, community safety plans, model ordinances for franchise agreements and pipeline setbacks. Additional information also is available from Municipal Research Services at pubsafe/pipesafety.htm.

October County Calendar

1 Property owners desiring special valuation for improvements to eligible historic property must apply for classification, with the county assessor, by this date. The assessor shall refer each application for classification to the local review board within ten days after they are filed. RCW 84.26.040, .050

7 The county engineer is to file with the county legislative authority a recommended plan for county road construction and maintenance during the ensuing fiscal year. RCW 36.81.130

7 The county legislative authority shall begin a hearing on the county budget, not to exceed five days in length. Upon conclusion, they shall adopt a budget and fix the necessary levies. RCW 36.40.070, .080, .090 (For alternate date on budget hearing, see RCW 36.40.071)

15 The county assessor shall report to the Department of Revenue progress in the revaluation of property in the county. RCW 84.41.130

30 Every county official must report to the Public Disclosure Commission, on an L-5 form, their lobbying activities for the previous quarter (July - September). It is recommended that these forms be accumulated in the county commissioners' office and forwarded on behalf of the entire county. RCW 42.17.190 NOTE: "in-person lobbying by any elected official of such agency on behalf of such agency or in connection with the powers, duties, or compensation of such official," need not be reported.

31 Second half taxes are due and payable at the office of the county treasurer. RCW 84.56.020 If the due date falls upon a Saturday or Sunday, the remittance shall be considered timely if it is paid on the next business day. RCW 1.12.070

During October The Department of Revenue shall equalize the value of all property in the state and levy the state taxes authorized by law, sometime during the months of September or October. RCW 84.48.080

Calendar of Events

2002 Meetings

September 26

L&I Retrospective Rating Pool, Ellensburg

September 30–October 4

WACO/WSAC Annual Conference,

WestCoast Hotel & Convention Center, Wenatchee

October 1

WSAC Eastern District Meeting, WestCoast Hotel & Convention Center, Wenatchee, in conjunction with the WACO/WSAC Annual Conference

October 1

CPO Personnel/Human Resources—Understand the Laws; Maximize Your Personnel System, Wenatchee—Cost: $120, CPO

Credits: 4 (Core Course)

October 2

CPO The Class-Act County Government Official—Building Courthouse Partnerships, Wenatchee—Cost TBD, CPO Credits: 2 (Elective Course)

November 14

WCIF Board Meeting, 9:00 a.m.–noon,

Eastern Washington Location

November 18–21

WASPC Annual Fall Conference,

Red Lion Hotel at the Quay, Vancouver

November 20–22

ACHS, Seattle

December 3–4

WAPA Newly Elected Prosecutor Course

WAPA Conference Room, Olympia

December 5

WSALPHO Meeting, SeaTac

December 10–13

CPO Newly Elected Officials Training—Understanding Your New Job at the Courthouse, Olympia—Cost: TBD, CPO Credits: All newly elected officials must attend to become certified.

December 12–13

WAPA Winter Meeting & Banquet

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Seattle.

2003 MEETINGS

May 5-8

County Auditors’ Elections Conference

Yakima

May 19–22

WASPC Spring Conference,

WestCoast Grand Hotel, Spokane

June 10-12

Washington State Association of County Auditors’ Annual Conference, Sun Mountain Lodge, Winthrop

June 16-20

Washington State Association of County Treasurers’ Annual Conference, Davenport Hotel, Spokane

June 23-27

Washington State Association of County Clerks’ Annual Conference, Silverdale Hotel, Silverdale

June 24–27, 2003

WSAC Summer Convention, Spokane

July 11–15, 2003

NACo Annual Conference, Milwaukee County,

Milwaukee, WI

September 29–October 3, 2003

Joint WACO/WSAC Conference,

Doubletree Hotel Seattle Airport

November 17–20

WASPC Fall Conference, Campbell’s Resort, Chelan

2004 MEETINGS

May 24–27

WASPC Spring Conference,

Yakima Convention Center, Yakima

June 22–25, 2004

WSAC Summer Convention,

Sheraton Tacoma, Pierce County

July 16–20, 2004

NACo Annual Conference

Maricopa County, Phoenix, AZ

October 4–8, 2004

WACO/WSAC Joint Legislative Conference, WestCoast Grand Hotel at the Park, Spokane

November 15–18

WASPC Fall Conference, Shilo Inn, Ocean Shores

2005 MEETINGS

May 23–26

WASPC Spring Conference,

West Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel, Wenatchee

July 15–19, 2005

NACo Annual Conference, City & County of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI

Employment Opportunities

In our effort to hold down costs and save timber, we are asking for your help. You may submit a job opening to us for publication in the CHJ using MS Word. When submitting an article for the Courthouse Journal’s Employment Opportunities section we ask that you use the following format and thank you for your help.

← County or Agency Name

← Position Title

← Compensation – Salary/Hourly and Amount

← A brief description of duties and responsibilities (4-6 lines)

← Minimum requirements (2-3 lines)

← Application requirements (Resume, Cover Letter, Application, Etc.)

← Where to submit application and submission deadline

← Where to go for more information (Web page, phone, etc)

MASON COUNTY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE: GIS Technician. Salary: $2,657 - $3,153/month. Responsible for geographic data management, overlay, network, topographic analysis, map and report design, composition and plotting. Minimum Qualifications: Formal training in computer-aided drafting and design or three years experience in survey or cadastral mapping. Experience with ESRI ArcView and AutoCAD map software preferred. Must possess valid Washington State Drivers License. County application required and available at Mason County Human Resources, 411 N. Fifth Street, Shelton, WA 98584; or call (360) 427-7265. Applications accepted until position is filled.

INDUSTRIAL REAL PROPERTY APPRAISER V, ASSESSOR’S OFFICE: The Cowlitz County is accepting applications for the position of Industrial Real Property Appraiser V. This position appraises assigned industrial land, buildings, machinery and equipment to determine its fair market value for ad valorem tax purposes. It utilizes a variety of appraising methods including cost, market and income techniques, to estimate value within acceptable accuracy standards. Act as a sworn deputy of the County Assessor.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, economics, accounting or finances or related field. Four (4) years of administrative experience appraising personal and/or real property in an assessor’s office appraising large commercial and industrial properties. Experience must include appraisal accounting and auditing duties. Or, any combination of education, training and experience that would ensure successful execution of the duties of this position.

2. Successful completion of the WA State Assessor’s Certification; WA State Personal Property Appraisal Certificate; WA State Real Property Appraiser III and IV Certifications; Department of Revenue Residential Property Appraisal School - IAAO Course I or equivalent; Department of Revenue Commercial Property Appraisal School – IAAO Course II or equivalent; Mass Appraisal for Residential of Income Producing Property - IAAO Course 301 or 302.

3. Posses and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Starting Salary: $ 3,919 per month with annual increases and full benefits package

Application Information:

Application packet can be obtained by visiting Administrative Services at 207 Fourth Ave., North, Kelso, WA; by calling (360) 577-3065 or TDD (360) 577-3061; by faxing your request to (360) 423-9987; or by sending an email through the link in our website: co.cowlitz.wa.us. The application and job announcement can be downloaded from our website. Open until filled. Cowlitz County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CIVIL COURT COMMISSIONER (HALF-TIME), SPOKANE: Spokane County District Court is currently accepting applications to fill the position of Civil Court Commissioner. Current vacancy is a half-time position (18.75 hours/week). Candidates must be admitted to the practice of law in the State of Washington and member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association for five (5) years or qualify under LARLJ5 (5) (D). Salary: $4113/month, plus excellent prorated benefits. All application materials must be received by Friday, September 27, 2002, 4:30 p.m. To apply, submit a Spokane County Employment Application, a cover letter indicating your interest in the position and a resume outlining your education background, career history, professional activities, public service activities, honors, authorships, etc. For additional information and questions, please contact the District Court Administrator for Judicial Operations at (509) 477-2903. Submit application materials to: Spokane County Human Resources, 1229 West Mallon, Spokane, WA 99260 or fax to (509) 477-5642. Please note that resumes alone will not be considered. ; TDD. Equal Opportunity Employer.

RIGHT OF WAY AGENT 2 (Job #2568) PIERCE COUNTY: $50,294 - $64.251/annually. Closes: October 4, 2002 - Coordinates and oversees the appraisal, purchase, sale, and use of property related to the needs of the Pierce County Public Works & Utilities Department, Right of Way Section. Assignments include: negotiate land acquisition or lease of property; land appraisal; claim settlement; resident, business, property owner assistance; relocation; maintenance, sale, or removal of buildings in right of way; and related right of way activities following municipal projects or local, state, or federal agency actions. Requires BA degree in real estate or related field and one or more years of related experience. Additional education or experience may substitute. Must have a valid driver’s license and a real estate sales or brokers license is desired. Union membership is required within 30 days of employment. Pierce County Personnel Dept., co.pierce.wa.us/jobs, or (253) 798-7480 or TDD, (253) 798-3965. EOE

WASHINGTON STATE - Office of Community Development—Research Analyst. Salary range $2354-$2911/month. A full-time, temporary position researching criminal justice for the Safe and Drug Free Communities Unit (for approximately 5 months), and the Local Government Fiscal Note Program (for approximately 4 months, during the legislative session). Desirable qualifications: Advanced degree in criminal justice, sociology, social work, law, public administration, political science or related field; experience working for or with local government. Primary duties: assisting in the research and writing of a 4-year criminal justice strategy to provide the foundation for coordinated efforts among State, local and federal resources to reduce illegal drugs and violent crime in Washington State; performing research needed to prepare local government fiscal notes on criminal justice legislation, working closely with legislative staff, local government officials, associations, and state officials in collecting and organizing data and cost estimates. Requires good research and writing skills as well as proficiency in the use of basic statistics. Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel is helpful. Internship and Professional Development opportunities are also available. Position will begin October 14, 2002 and will last for 9 months. Applications will be accepted until position is filled; however, priority will be given to applications received by September 27, 2002. For more information or an application packet, contact Paul Perz at the Safe and Drug Free Communities Unit, Office of Community Development, PO Box 48350, Olympia, WA, 98504, (360) 725-3025, or email at paulp@cted..

PIERCE COUNTY: Assessor-Treasurer's Office - Commercial Appraiser 2, 3 & 4 Levels (Job #2570) Salary will depend on qualifications. Open Until Positions are Filled. Technical appraisal work of real and/or personal property, establish fair and equitable market value using appraisal profession methods, including Mass Appraisal modeling. Minimum requirements are 2 plus years experience as real or personal property appraiser. Accredited by Department of Revenue. Additional education or experience may substitute. Valid Washington State Driver's license. Union membership required within 30 days of employment. For higher level positions, education and experience will be commensurate with the position level. Application packets are available from Pierce County Government Personnel, 615 South 9th Street, Suite 200, Tacoma, WA 98405, or call our jobline at 253/798-7466 or TDD 253/798-3965 or visit our website at co.pierce.wa.us/jobs. EOE

PUGET SOUND REGIONAL COUNCIL: Position: Transportation Planning Director. Seeking an experienced Transportation Planning Director to help plan and implement the region’s growth management and transportation strategy. The ideal candidate will be a proven manager, with at least ten years of experience dealing with complex urban transportation and growth management planning issues. We are seeking a leader who can address the issues of the region and has the ability to bring all parties together on sensitive and controversial issues. The Puget Sound Regional Council serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Regional Transportation Planning Organization for the central Puget Sound region. Located in downtown Seattle, it is an association of cities, towns, counties, ports, and state agencies, with a mission to preserve and enhance the quality of life in the central Puget Sound region. Candidates are encouraged to apply before October 1, 2002. For more information and an application packet, please see , e-mail gfoster@, phone 206-464-7090, fax 206-587-4825, or contact us at: Puget Sound Regional Council, 1011 Western Avenue, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98104. The Puget Sound Regional Council is an equal opportunity employer.

WASHINGTON STATE - Office of Community Development: Position: Research Analyst. Salary range $2354-$2911/month. Five full-time, temporary positions available in the Local Government Fiscal Note Program. Desirable qualifications: Masters in public administration or environmental science; Juris Doctor; studies/experience in political science, accounting, economics, public health, land use planning, taxation; experience working for or with local government. Primary duties: performing research needed to prepare local government fiscal notes; working closely with legislative staff, local government officials, associations, and state officials in collecting and organizing data and cost estimates. Requires good research and writing skills as well as proficiency in the use of basic statistics. Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel is helpful. Internship and Professional Development opportunities are also available. Closes October 18, 2002. For more information or an application packet, contact Louise Deng Davis at the Local Government Fiscal Note Program, Office of Community Development, PO Box 48319, Olympia, WA, 98504, (360) 725-5034, or email at louised@cted..

WHATCOM COUNTY: Assistant Director (County Road Engineer), Public Works Department. Salary Range: $4,980 - $6,612 / month, DOQ. Seeking an Assistant Director to oversee Engineering Administration, Traffic/Development, Design/Construction and Road Maintenance. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field and 5 years of progressively responsible experience, including 3 years management/supervisory experience. Must possess PE license. Whatcom County offers excellent benefits, which currently include employer-paid medical, dental and vision coverage for employees and their family, plus life insurance coverage for employees. Our benefits package includes attractive paid leave provisions, including three weeks vacation to start, an average of 12 holidays per year, and sick leave. County employees participate in the Washington State Retirement System (PERS) with joint contributions by the County and the employee. Whatcom County offers an employee assistance program and employees may, at their option and expense, participate in a flexible spending plan for health care/dependent care, and deferred compensation plans. The County provides a match of up to 2% of salary for deferred compensation plan contributions. Closes October 7, 2002. For more details & to request required application packet contact Whatcom County Human Resources, Bellingham, WA, (360) 676-6802 or visit co.whatcom.wa.us. Equal Opportunity Employer.

News Articles

Public Has Its Say as County Ponders Land Use Changes

(Published in the Herald-Republic on Monday, September 9, 2002)

As Yakima County moves to upgrade its comprehensive land use planning document, we tip our hat to the openness of the project where hearings have given all points of view an opportunity to be heard and considered.

That was certainly evident last week when several people showed up to tell the Yakima County Planning Commission that proposed changes either went too far or not far enough. That's the kind of diversity of opinion you like to see at hearings.

The county is in the process of updating its comprehensive plan as required periodically by the state Growth Management Act. One challenge facing county officials is determining the future of up to 12 square miles of county farmland, particularly "marginal" land that could be more valuable for development. The land in question is located near several cities throughout the county.

Zoning restrictions often prevent farmers who can no longer make livings on their farms in a depressed agriculture economy from selling their lands for other uses.

The ability of smaller farmers to compete was a recurring theme in the development of the county's comprehensive plan in 1997 and in its subsequent annual amendments. The act is designed to slow urban sprawl by channeling growth in and around cities where public services are available.

Planners are being guided by 10 criteria recommended by an agriculture task force appointed by county commissioners to assess farmlands. The criteria, found in the Washington Administrative Code, are access to public facilities and services, parcel size, proximity to urban areas, tax status, land settlement patterns, intensity of nearby land uses, history of land development permits issued nearby, land values under alternative uses and proximity of markets.

Of course, one should add water to the list. Is there enough of it to support new, extensive development in the county? It doesn't make sense to grow new houses on former farmland if there is not an adequate water supply, usually from ground water, to support them.

Clearly the growing problems of farmers being trapped on their own lands by circumstances over which they really have no control must be addressed. And neighbors, who don't want to see housing developments start sprouting next to them, bringing with them all their attendant problems, have concerns that must also be considered.

Walking that fine line is going to be the paramount challenge facing the planners, and finally county commissioners who must OK any changes.

As last week's hearing showed, not everyone -- maybe no one -- will be in total agreement with the ultimate decision, but so far it looks like the process is allowing a lot of people to be heard, giving planners plenty to think about.

And that's the way the process is supposed to work.

County Must Forfeit Impact Fees

By Christopher Dunagan Sun Staff

Published in The Sun: September 17, 2002

Not having a valid comp plan will cost Kitsap County nearly $3 million.

Kitsap County is not entitled to collect nearly $3 million in impact fees assessed while its comprehensive plan was invalid, a judge has ruled.

Impact fees cannot be collected on new construction for which the fees were imposed between Sept. 26, 1996, and July 21, 1999, according to Superior Court Judge Brian Tollefson, a visiting judge from Pierce County.

Any fees paid to the county during that time must be returned with interest.

The decision, which could affect other cities and counties in the state, declares that local governments automatically lose their ability to collect impact fees when a comp plan is declared invalid under the Growth Management Act.

"At the end of the day, the statute says if you don't have a compliant plan, you can't collect the fee," said Silverdale lawyer William Broughton, who filed a class-action lawsuit against the county.

The county's lawyers contended that impact fees could continue to be tallied after the plan was ruled invalid by the Central Puget Sound Growth Hearings Board, but the county could not collect those fees until the plan is valid. The judge rejected that argument and also ruled that people were not required to pay under protest, nor were they required to appeal within 21 days, as with other land-use permits.

Kitsap County's first comprehensive plan under the Growth Management Act was declared invalid in 1995. Because of a three-year statute of limitations on lawsuits, the county is not required to pay back any fees collected before Sept. 26, 1996.

The judge also concluded that the plan became valid again six months earlier than Broughton's lawsuit alleged.

Tollefson ruled from the bench Friday. Because his order won't be signed until Oct. 4, some details remain sketchy.

For example, Broughton must work with county officials to determine which building permits were submitted during the period in question. The original number of permits in the case was about 2,600, but the final number might be closer to 2,000, according to Broughton.

The original dollar figure was close to $3 million, but the final number will be somewhat less, he said.

Terrie O'Neill, community resources coordinator for the county, said the court ruling means the county will have less money to spend for road and park expansions. But, because of the lawsuit, county officials have never assumed the money would be forthcoming, she said.

Under state law, impact fees can be spent only on projects that respond to growth in a community.

School districts, originally named in Broughton's lawsuit, settled out of court. They ended up paying about 55 cents on the dollar with no interest, Broughton said.

Any decision on a possible appeal by the county won't come until after the order is signed, said Sue Tanner, a deputy prosecuting attorney representing the county.

"So far, there hasn't been any discussion with the commissioners about this at all," she said.

Tanner said Tollefson concluded that county officials had made a mistake but weren't acting in bad faith. The judge made it clear, she said, that county officials believed they were trying to collect money on behalf of all county residents.

Resources Panel OKs Full Funding for PILT Program

(By Lori Sharn, National Journal News Service, House Resources H.R. 1811)

WASHINGTON (Sept. 12, 2002) -- Local governments would get more money from the federal government to offset the cost of having nontaxable federal lands within their boundaries, under legislation approved by the House Resources Committee Thursday. The legislation (H.R. 1811) would permanently fund existing payment programs at fully authorized levels beginning in fiscal 2002. In the past, Congress has appropriated far less money for local governments than the payment levels authorized under the Payment in Lieu of Taxes, or PILT, program and the Refuge Revenue Sharing Act. The measure passed by unanimous consent, en bloc with 33 other bills. In fiscal 2002, Congress appropriated $210 million for PILT, which is administered by the Bureau of Land Management. That is only 59.7 percent of the amount authorized by the PILT formula. Congress appropriated $17.3 million for the Refuge Revenue Sharing Act in fiscal 2002, 52 percent of the authorized level. The administration testified against the measure in July because of budgetary concerns.

Washington’s Finances Lag; Tough Decisions Loom

(By David Ammons, The Associated Press)

OLYMPIA -- Democrats and Republicans had to really scramble to round up this year's crop of legislative candidates, and it's little wonder why.

Washington's financial woes keep getting worse, and the legislative session this winter promises to be a nightmare.

Spending cuts and taxes -- a surefire recipe for getting quickly un-elected -- seem to be in store as Olympia grapples with a problem that could top the $2 billion mark.

The optimists had hoped the state and national economy had bottomed out and prosperity was "just around the corner," but the picture seems to get gloomier by the day:

- The state's chief economist, Chang Mook Sohn has stretched out his projection for when the state economy gets up off the mat. Originally, turnaround was supposed to be begin early next year. Then it was supposed to be next summer. Now we're talking about bumping along until mid-2004.

- A new revenue forecast due out Tuesday is expected to take a mild dip, not because of current tax collections, which are running slightly ahead of projections, but because of the slower recovery and job growth.

- Uncle Sam has rejected most of the state's plea for more money for the expensive Medicaid program. Instead of a half-billion or more, the state will settle for $179 million.

- Health care costs continue to soar in double digits each year. Voters have mandated more money to teacher salaries and classroom improvements. The demand for higher education, health care and social "safety net" programs is higher than ever during hard times, says state budget Director Marty Brown.

"Our costs will go up and our revenue will go down," Brown says.

Whys and wherefores

Washington's economy is lagging the national economic recovery, which itself seems to be stalled right now. New information now shows that the state's recession began earlier than previously thought. The employment peak came in the last quarter of 2000, rather than the first quarter of 2001. From that peak, we've lost 99,000 jobs so far, including those good-paying jobs in aerospace and high-tech.

The Seattle metro area, usually the leader of the state economy, is taking a disproportionate hit, accounting for about 90 percent of the job loss and 95 percent of the state income loss, Sohn says.

Sohn projects that it will take a full four years to rebuild to the previous employment peak -- more than twice as long as the average recession.

"This is by no means a mild recession," says Sohn. In recent decades, only the recession in 1981 and 1982 can compare, he says.

Facing the music

All of this, the anemic revenue coupled with runaway costs, is causing high anxiety among those who'll have to write a balanced state budget this winter.

Gov. Gary Locke has decided not to call a special legislative session to deal with the loss of federal funds and the weak economy, but his administration already is piecing together a budget proposal for the two years beginning next July 1.

House and Senate budget panels are girding for the task that will confront them in January. But just who gets to write the budget is unclear because Democrats' narrow margin in both chambers could evaporate in November.

The size of the problem is estimated at about $2 billion.

Rep. Barry Sehlin, R-Oak Harbor, the House Republicans' budget expert and potential speaker of the House, is a retired Navy officer not given to hyperbole. But he calls the upcoming mess "astounding."

"I hear candidates on the campaign trail saying they're not going to raise taxes, not going to cut important services and, oh, by the way, they'll improve education," he says. "Well, I'm sorry, no, you're not. Not in the situation we're in."

Sehlin tells audiences they need to realize how big the number $2 billion really is.

"People are used to hearing all these numbers with a lot of zeros, but the example I use is: If you were to eliminate every function of state government except education and human services, you would have saved only half of the shortfall.

"All the resource agencies -- natural resources, parks, fish and wildlife, ecology, take them all to zero. No Legislature. No courts or executive branch. And you're only halfway there. That's how big this is.

"That means something has to change."

Senate budget Chairwoman Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, agrees with his basic point, that Washington's revenue system no longer can cover the size and scope of government we now enjoy.

But the two parties differ over what to do about it.

Sehlin doesn't take taxes off the table for discussion, but says conservatives generally think the state already is taking enough in taxes and should concentrate on reducing and containing costs.

Sen. Brown concedes that service cuts, probably including the elimination of entire programs, will be part of the solution. But she says new revenue is needed to provide the kind of state voters deserve and demand.

"I really believe we are at a crossroads," she says. "Yes, we have to do some 'reinventing government,' but that is still not enough. Maybe we cut a half-billion. I'm open to it. But the more fundamental questions are whether we are going to make investments to continue raising the standards in education, to have national or world-class institutions of higher education, and whether we are going to preserve our safety net or let it fall by the wayside."

Who feels the pinch?

Where to cut? Good luck finding $2 billion.

Currently, the state's $22 billion General Fund budget allocates $9.9 billion, or 43.9 percent, to public schools; $2.7 billion, or 12.2 percent, to higher education; and $7.4 billion, or 32.8 percent, to health and human services and prisons.

Together, those three areas make up nearly 89 percent of the budget.

A big chunk of the rest goes to pensions and bond-debt. General government -- including the governor and most state agencies, the courts and the Legislature -- costs $567 million. Natural resource agencies get $316 million.

Under Sehlin's example, eliminating general government and natural resources entirely would save less than $900 million.

So far, the governor's goal is to write a budget plan without general taxes, something he managed this year by using reserves, federal dollars, a new lottery game, selling off part of the state's tobacco settlement income, and by cutting costs and freezing state employee salaries.

Locke has directed agencies to take a tough-nosed look at every program they operate, and to prioritize them into thirds, by descending importance.

"The governor told his cabinet to be pragmatic," Marty Brown says. "He understands how hard this is. We keep doing this over and over. But he told folks: 'We have to be realistic. This is where we are.' "

David Ammons is the AP's state political writer and has covered the statehouse since 1971. He may be reached at P.O. Box 607, Olympia, WA 98507, or at dammons@ on the Internet.

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Big Week Ahead!

The First Annual Joint Conference of the Washington Association of County Officials and the Washington State Association of Counties in Wenatchee September 30- October 4 promises to be a major event. To date, over 300 registrations have been received. It is not too late to register! We want to see you in Wenatchee! More details on page 2.

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