Cities are currently able to partner with local groups for certain public works projects – the House is looking to expand how cities can work together with community partners.
Under current state law, a city or town may bypass competitive public works bidding laws to contract with a local organization to provide service within the community. Examples of eligible organizations include chambers of commerce, community or neighborhood
associations, or youth or sports associations. These outside groups could contract with the city to design plans, make improvements to public spaces, install equipment of artwork, provide maintenance services, or carry out an environmental stewardship
project.
In return, the city could reimburse the contracting group for its expenses. The contracting group would be allowed to use volunteers to carry out the project.
HB 2052, sponsored by Rep. Tina Orwall (D–Kent), would make two significant changes to law:
- It would lower the required value of the project from at least three times the value of the work provided to just two times the value. The current three-to-one requirement proved a major barrier for local governments to partner with community organizations.
The lowered amount should allow for more groups to work with local governments.
- It changes one of the allowable services from “environment stewardship projects” to "environmental justice stewardship or sustainability project.” This expansion would allow projects like community gardens or tree planting.
HB 2052 passed out of the House Local Government Committee and now awaits floor action.