January 29, 2025

capitalbuilding2025 Legislative session: Week 3 at a glance
The legislative session is moving fast! Don’t wait to engage with your legislators on issues important to cities. Catch these top headlines from AWC’s Legislative Bulletin, along with some tips for following the action.

$100 million for law enforcement bill gets amended. More
Could the 2026 World Cup bring libation zones to Washington? More
Bill expanding AG investigations of city police departments scheduled this week. More

Keep up on the latest legislative news for cities: Bookmark AWC's weekly bill Hot Sheet, subscribe to the weekly Legislative Bulletin, follow bills of interest to your city through AWC’s bill tracker, and register to join our Friday City Action Calls for updates from AWC's advocacy team throughout the 2025 session.

Assessing the local impacts of federal executive orders
The President has issued a number of executive orders in his first week in office, some of which could impact federal funding and grants and specific communities. This issue is evolving quickly. AWC is following developments closely and will be providing updates to members as more information becomes available.

The Local Government Legal Center is hosting a webinar on Friday, January 31, to answer questions about the impacts of recent federal executive orders related to immigration on local governments. Register here.
On January 28, a federal court granted a temporary restraining order on a directive from the federal Office of Management and Budget that would have paused funding for many federal grants and programs. On January 29, the administration rescinded the directive, but the status and potential long-term impacts of the executive orders remain fluid.
AWC and the Puget Sound Regional Council (PRSC) will host an update on February 6 for AWC and PSRC members to share the latest updates on the status of the federal funding freeze from state and federal leaders. Register here.

Cities are encouraged to stay in contact with their federal funding agencies and congressional delegation about potential impacts. Learn more.

Registration for AWC’s 2025 Annual Conference opens February 19
June 24-27 | Kennewick
It’s time to start planning for AWC’s Annual Conference! Registration opens on February 19 this year to give city officials more time to plan to attend this premier event. The session lineup will feature hot topics and popular returning sessions on affordable housing strategies, infrastructure funding, AI at city hall, parliamentary procedure, youth engagement, collaborative leadership, and more. This year’s conference will include tracks tailored to Certificate of Municipal Leadership core competencies, executive mayors, small cities, city managers/administrators, and new and returning elected officials. Take a sneak peek, learn how to book lodging, and get ready to register!

Don’t miss AWC’s Elected Officials Essentials Forum
February 28 | Tacoma
If you’re an elected official who has taken office since fall of 2023, this all-day forum is designed specifically for you! Join your peers from across the state for this interactive event designed to help you to gain the knowledge and skills you need to make an impact in public office. Come together with other newer elected officials for tailored training on running great meetings, understanding legal responsibilities through real-world scenarios, roundtables with peers, and plenty of networking. Check out the tentative schedule and register now.

cml-bug-150 Who’s on the latest CML honor roll?
Congratulations to the mayors and councilmembers who have recently earned their core or advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership (CML). Our CML trainings provide city elected officials with knowledge in five key competency areas to help you become the most effective leader possible. Curious how close you are to earning your CML? You can track your progress online anytime!

raised-hands-square Get involved: Apply to serve on a board, committee, or council
AWC is recruiting city officials and select staff to serve on several boards, committees, and councils, both with AWC and at the state level. View all opportunities or click on individual committees below for details. Apply by February 6.

AWC:

Large City Advisory Committee (city elected officials or city managers/administrators)

State councils and committees:

Affordable Housing Advisory Board (city elected official from Eastern WA)
Building Code Council (city elected official)
Emergency Management Council (city elected official, primary and alternate positions)
Puget Sound Partnership Ecosystem Coordinating Board (city elected official from a city near the Puget Sound basin)
Bridge Replacement Advisory Committee (senior city staff member)
Local Government Investment Pool Advisory Committee (senior city staff member)

Other news & resources

Celebrate the Public Works Board’s 40th Anniversary! If you’re in Olympia on January 30, stop by the State Treasurer’s office between 4-7 pm to celebrate with PWB members, staff, and legislators. RSVP here.

Does your workplace health program deserve special recognition? Apply for the 2025 Golden Apple Award by February 7. More

Apply for the SolarAPP+ Adoption Grant for local governments through the Department of Commerce by February 11. More

New grant available to adopt automated permit software for residential solar projects. Apply by February 11. More

The National Civic League is accepting applications for the 2025 All-America City Award, with the theme of Strengthening environmental sustainability through inclusive community engagement. Apply by February 27. More

Apply by February 28 for AWC’s new grant for energy audits of city-owned buildings. More

The JLARC lodging tax reporting system is now open for reporting 2024 lodging tax expenditures due May 16. More

Apply now for additional grant funding through the Office of Public Defense SPAR Program for impacts of new Blake drug possession caseload through June 30, 2025. More

The JLARC public records reporting system is open for 2024 data. Cities that meet the $100,000 reporting threshold or that intend to report voluntarily have until July 1 to report. More

Crime-fighting collective: Read about how a collaborative regional forensics lab is fast-tracking violent crime investigations throughout the Yakima Valley. More

Battery energy storage systems—Coming soon to your community? More

As Mental Health Awareness Month draws to a close, check out this leadership toolkit from the Trust’s EAP provider, ComPysch, full of resources to support a healthy workplace. Interested in enhancing your entity’s mental health resources? Contact the Trust today!

State of the Cities: A look at city finances in Washington with Sheila Gall
AWC first released a State of the Cities report in 2005 with the goal of providing a view of the conditions and issues cities face in Washington. In early 2025, AWC published the most recent edition of the report. In this episode, we sit down with Sheila Gall, AWC General Counsel, to discuss the state of city finances in Washington. We discuss the 1% property tax cap, the fiscal tools available to cities to fund government services, and how cities have weathered the past few years. Listen now.

Never miss an episode again. Subscribe to the CityVoice Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

AWC trainings & events

AWC: ROC the house: Mobile home park solutions | February 5 | Online

AWC: 2025 City Action Days | February 19-20 | Lacey

AWC: Elected Officials Essentials Forum | February 28 | Tacoma

Trust: Healthy Worksite Summit | March 12-13 | Lynnwood

AWC: Save the date! 2025 Annual Conference | June 24-27 | Kennewick

Other trainings & events

MRSC: Design review—Tips and recommended practices | February 12 | Online

CRAB: 2025 Road Design Conference | March 19-21 | Chelan

State Archives: Records management workshops | Multiple dates | Online

NLC: Congressional City Conference 2025 | March 10-12 | Washington, D.C.

Looking to fill a key position? JobNet is a great place to recruit new talent. Post your job openings on AWC JobNet today.

Featured jobs:
AWC | Government Relations Advocate
City of Sedro-Woolley | City Engineer
City of Ritzville | Community Development Director