Click here to skip to main content.
scenic picture from Washington state
MRSC FOCUS › Focus - August 2000
 

Note: Some of the information on this archival Web page may no longer be current.

Focus - August 2000

Inquiry of the Week

May councilmembers utilize "council comment time" to make a political statement about their own candidacy?

[Previous inquiries of the week]

The Increase in the Implicit Price Deflator (IPD) from July 1999 to July 2000 Is 2.61 Percent

The Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce has released the July 2000 index number for the implicit price deflator for personal consumption expenditures. It is 107.59. This represents a 2.61 percent increase over the revised July 1999 index number of 104.85. This represents the "limit factor" for property tax levy increases under Referendum 47. RCW 84.55.010.

Here is the math. Divide the July 2000 index (107.59) by the July 1999 index (104.85). Subtract 1 and multiply by 100. The result is 2.61 percent. The Department of Revenue assumes that this number is not official until it is confirmed in the September 2000 issue of the Survey of Current Business.

Local Government Webmasters Meeting

The next meeting of the local government Webmasters group will take place in Seattle on Thursday, September 21st from 10:00 until 2:00. Everyone who works on a Washington city or county Web site is welcome to attend. The agenda includes a demonstration by the city of Kirkland of its new Web-based permitting system. If you would like more information, please contact Fred Ward at MRSC.

Officials Directory Correction: Kent Phone Number

In the 2000-01 Directory of Washington City & Town Officials that we mailed to all Washington cities and towns in March, we listed an incorrect phone number for the city of Kent. Since the number in the directory belongs to a private residence, we'd appreciate your noting that the correct number for Kent city hall is 253-856-5200. Thank you.

2000 Information Technology Survey Results

Thanks to everyone who participated in MRSC's fifth annual information technology survey of Washington cities and towns. We received an excellent response rate this year: 82% of the 279 cities and towns. Nearly all cities now have some form of Internet access; only 20 of the responding cities do not. Thirteen percent of the cities have plans to implement a Web-based service within the next year. More...

MRSC Discussion Forum - Current Topics

Here are some of the topics currently being discussed in the new MRSC Discussion Forum: longevity pay, Eden Systems, Economic development planning, e-government, and telecommunications law. Log in and join the discussion.

King County Council Member Elected President of NACo

King County Metropolitan Council Member Jane Hague was elected President of the National Association of Counties (NACo) at the organization's 65th Annual Conference in Mecklenburg County (Charlotte), N.C., on July 18, 2000. Also at the NACo Conference, King County Executive Ron Sims was elected president of the National Democratic County Officials. Read more on NACo's Web site.

Online Surplus Equipment Auction For Washington Governments

Public agencies in the state of Washington can now leverage the power of the Internet to purchase and sell surplus equipment with each other - thanks to a unique new partnership between eCitydeals, an online e-government business portal and Washington's Good Government Group, a non-profit with the goal of restoring civic pride in Washington State.

Current Job Listings on Washington City/County Web Sites

Our new "Current Job Listings" Web page contains a comprehensive collection of links to current Washington city and county job listings Web pages. If we missed your city or county job listings page, please send us an e-mail along with the URL for the page.

Governor's Association Report Takes on Urban Sprawl

A new report from the National Governors' Association (NGA), Growing Pains: Quality of Life in the New Economy (Adobe Acrobat Document 520kb) explores numerous ideas and strategies for taming urban sprawl. The report identifies and illustrates three broad initiatives being taken by state leaders: public education, Economic investment and government collaboration. Read the Executive Summary on NGA's Web site.

Thurston County's Audio Voters Pamphlet Wins National Award

In recognition for significant innovation in county government in the United States, the Thurston County Auditor's Office was selected as a recipient of the 2000 National Association of Counties Achievement Award for it's creation and production of the Audio Local Voters Pamphlet. More …

Joint Bill Payment System Saves $1 Million

The City of Vancouver, the Clark County Treasurer's Office and Clark Public Utilities have teamed up to operate an image remittance processing system to handle payments received from customers for water, sewer, tax and assessment bills. The jointly operated system has saved taxpayers nearly $1 million. More …

Online Citizen Surveys

Online surveys offer a convenient and effective way for local governments to get feedback from citizens on a variety of issues. Our new Online Citizen Surveys page contains examples of surveys from several Washington city and county Web sites. If we missed your online survey, please contact Erica Zwick, MRSC Technical Services Librarian.

Cell Phone Quiet Zones in San Diego

San Diego Mayor Susan Golding recently launched a voluntary " cell phone courtesy campaign" to limit cell phone use in certain public places. The campaign is based on the results of a public opinion poll conducted through the city's Web site. She also joined corporate sponsor Nokia, to unveil a "Quiet Zone" logo to be featured in participating local businesses to promote courteous cell phone use.

San José First City to Issue Permits Online Using Digital Signature Technology

The City of San José recently became the first city in California, and perhaps the nation, to issue building permits online using digital signatures. Contractors and homeowners can now apply for, digitally sign, and be issued building permits - without having to make a single trip to City Hall. Read more on San Jose's Web site.

Vancouver/Clark County First Home Loan Program

The First Home Loan Program, established in 1996, is a revolving loan fund used to provide down payment assistance and capital reduction for first time homebuyers at or below 80% of median income. Minimum requirement is 3% of the purchase price. Read more on Vancouver's Web site.

Bremerton's Info Page for New Residents

Bremerton's New Resident Info page gives newcomers a convenient listing of local service contacts (including utilities, schools and postal services) and links to local service clubs, a business directory, maps, and community services. Simple and effective … we like it!

Web Sightings - Americans with Disabilities Act

On July 26, 2000, the Americans with Disabilities Act celebrated its 10th anniversary. This month's Web Sightings focuses on ADA resources and progress reports:

Washington City/County History Quiz

This community is located on a large spit on the Washington coast. The area had long been in use as a summer resort by local Native American tribes before Thomas Barker Speake and his family arrived in the summer of 1857. Among the earliest structures built in the community was a lighthouse, dedicated in 1898, which still stands today. Over the years, the area has been known variously as Peterson's Point, Chehalis City and Ft. Chehalis, but was incorporated with its current name on June 26, 1914.

Today, this small city is headquarters for a fishing and crabbing fleet, and is popular with sports fishermen. More recently, boat building has also become an important part of its Economic base. What city is it? And the answer is ~drum roll~ …

Selected New MRSC Library Materials

Browse through a selected list of new MRSC Library materials (listed by subject). The list includes new library books, videos, articles, government publications, and more.

Get MRSC Web Site Updates by E-mail

You can get a monthly e-mail notifying you of selected updates to MRSC's Web site by subscribing to the mrscweb mailing list (listserv). Simply send an e-mail to the MRSC E-mail List Administrator. Include your first and last name and your e-mail address. You may also have your name removed from the list at any time by sending us an E-mail with your request.

Unlike most listservs, mrscweb is not a discussion list to which all subscribers may post messages, but a free subscription to a monthly notice updating you on major changes and additions to the MRSC Web site.