The real MVPs of brevity and clarity
You may have heard the joke that if you’re having a conversation that feels like it is made up of more letters than actual words, you probably work in local government.
It’s true that acronyms are widely used in local government to simplify and standardize communication. Acronyms help us to refer to long or complex terms or programs, like VRA for Voting Rights Act, TIF for tax increment financing, or CDBG for Community Development Block Grants. When used correctly, acronyms increase efficiency and effectiveness in communication.
Despite their value in simplifying communication, acronyms can also lead to confusion or cause someone to feel excluded from the conversation if they don’t “speak the language.” Here are some simple tips on how you can better use acronyms in your role as a city leader:
- Always state what the acronym means the first time you use it.
Whether you are writing or speaking, it is important to provide the full term for an acronym the first time you use it. This way, you can avoid ambiguity and make sure your audience knows what you are talking about.
For example, if you are writing about an upcoming city project, you may write something like: “The request for proposals (RFP) recently closed. We need to make sure our memorandum of understanding (MOU) is in place with our partners before taking this project to the Public Works Board (PWB).” From that point on, you can use the acronyms with confidence that your reader (or listener) will understand.
The time you take to clearly define acronyms will save you time in the long run as you work with colleagues and members of the community.
- Consider your audience when using acronyms.
As city leaders, you interact with individuals and groups with varying degrees of understanding of local government language. Try to first gauge an individual’s understanding of acronyms by asking them if they are familiar with certain terms.
For example, in a conversation with a constituent, you might ask: “The city is considering forming a tax increment finance, or TIF, area. Have you heard of tax increment financing?”
Another good reason to do this is that some acronyms may have more than one meaning depending on the context or field. In other words, your acronym may not only be your acronym. Speaking in an approachable way will help you connect and communicate better with others. If you are speaking or writing to a wide audience, it is better to avoid using acronyms altogether.
- Create a glossary of terms for your constituents and peers.
It can be hard to change how you speak and write. Something your city can do is create a glossary of commonly used acronyms and terms for residents. A glossary can help people find and understand terms so they can engage more confidently in local government.
While their use in general conversation or in communications with laypeople may be discouraged, acronyms give city officials an efficient framework for conversations with colleagues and other branches of government. With that in mind—and to make sure that the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) is following our own advice, here is a list of AWC’s commonly used acronyms to use as a handy reference.
Association of Washington Cities commonly used acronyms
ACML | Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership |
AWC | Association of Washington Cities |
CML | Certificate of Municipal Leadership |
CQC | AWC Center for Quality Communities |
D&A | AWC Drug and Alcohol Consortium |
LRI | Labor Relations Institute |
MPP | AWC Member Pooling Programs |
RMSA | AWC Risk Management Service Agency |
SBS | AWC Salary and Benefit Survey |
TUFS | AWC Tax and User Fee Survey |
Commonly used acronyms for state agencies and other organizations
AG/AGO | Attorney General/Attorney General’s Office (AKA Office of the Attorney General) |
AWB | Association of Washington Business |
CERB | Community Economic Revitalization Board |
ESD | Employment Security Department |
IACC | Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council |
ICMA | International City/County Management Association |
L&I | Department of Labor and Industries |
MRSC | Municipal Research and Services Center |
NLC | National League of Cities |
OFM | Office of Financial Management |
SAO | State Auditor’s Office |
TIB | Transportation Improvement Board |
WACO | Washington Association of County Officials |
WAPELRA | Washington Public Employer Labor Relations Association |
WAPRO | Washington Association of Public Records Officers |
WASPC | Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs |
WCCMA | Washington City/County Management Association |
WFOA | Washington Finance Officer Association |
WMCA | Washington Municipal Clerks Association |
WPTA | Washington Public Treasurers Association |
WSAC | Washington State Association of Counties |
WSAMA | Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys |
Other commonly used public sector acronyms
ADU/ DADU | Accessory dwelling unit/Detached ADU |
AI | Artificial Intelligence |
AKA | Also known as |
AMI | Area median income |
APP | Accident Prevention Plan |
ARPA | American Rescue Plan Act |
BIL | Bipartisan Infrastructure Law |
BLEA | Basic Law Enforcement Academy |
B&O | Business & Occupation Tax |
CAO | Critical area ordinance |
CARES | Community Assistance Referral and Education Services |
CBO | Community-based organization |
CDBG | Community Development Block Grants |
CFP | Call for proposals |
CIP | Capital Improvement Plan |
CJTC | Criminal Justice Training Commission |
COI | Certificate of insurance |
COLA | Cost of living adjustment |
CPI | Consumer Price Index |
CUP | Conditional use permit |
D-B | Design-build |
D-B-B | Design-bid-build |
DEIB | Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging |
EEOC | Equal Employment Opportunity Commission |
ERP | Emergency response plan |
EV | Electric vehicle |
FTE | Full-time equivalent position |
FY | Fiscal year |
GHG | Greenhouse gases |
GIS | Geographic Information System |
GMA | Growth Management Act |
HB | House bill |
IIJA | Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act |
ILA | Interlocal agreement |
IPD | Implicit price deflator (inflation index) |
IRA | Inflation Reduction Act |
JLARC | Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee |
JTC | Joint Transportation Committee |
LAMIRD | Limited mrea of more intensive rural development |
LEAD | Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion |
LID | Low impact development |
LID | Local Improvement District |
LGIP | Local Government Investment Pool |
LIN | Local Investment Network |
LOCAL | Real Estate and Equipment Financing for Local Governments (Office of the State Treasurer) |
LPWR | Limited Public Works Roster |
LTAC | Lodging Tax Advisory Committee |
LTSS | Long-Term Services and Supports (WA Cares Fund) |
MOU | Memorandum of understanding |
MPD | Master Planned Development |
MRF | Material recovery facility (processes recyclables) |
MSA | Metropolitan statistical area |
NEPA | National Environmental Policy Act |
NOA | Notice of availability |
NPDES | National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System |
OPMA | Open Public Meetings Act |
PAC | Political Action Committee |
PDC | Public Disclosure Commission |
PFAS | Per-and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (AKA forever chemicals) |
PFML | Paid Family and Medical Leave |
POWTP | Publicly owned wastewater treatment plant (See also Wastewater treatment plant) |
PRA | Public Records Act |
PWB | Public Works Board |
QOL | Quality of life |
RDI | Rural Development Initiative |
REAL | Race, equity, and leadership |
REET | Real Estate Excise Tax |
RFP | Request for Proposals |
RFQ | Request for Quotes or Request for Qualifications |
ROW | Right of way |
SAM | Stormwater Action Monitoring |
SB | Senate bill |
SEPA | State Environment Policy Act |
SLFRF | State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds |
SMP | Shoreline Master Program |
SOL | Statute of limitations |
SOP | Statement of Policy |
SPWR | Small Public Works Roster |
TBD | Transportation Benefit District |
TIF | Tax Increment Financing |
TIP | Transportation Improvement Plan |
UBC | Uniform Building Code |
UGA | Urban Growth Area |
UI | Unemployment insurance |
VMT | Vehicle miles traveled |
VRA | Voting Rights Act |
WUI | Wildland Urban Interface |
WWTP | Wastewater treatment plant |