May 15, 2024

What’s in store at Annual Conference?
June 18-21 | Vancouver, WA
AWC’s Annual Conference offers something for everyone. Take a sneak peek at this year’s sessions, exploring topics from small city revitalization and affordable housing to climate action and clean energy, from state and federal advocacy to youth engagement and civic health. Add in a dynamic exhibit hall, mobile tours, networking, and receptions, and you’re sure to return to your community with new insights, inspiration, and connections. Register today!

Final call! Apply by May 17 for the Washington Collaborative Elected Leaders Institute
Don’t miss your chance to apply for the Washington Collaborative Elected Leaders Institute (WA-CELI). This exciting new immersive training program will provide small teams of city elected officials with the collaborative leadership skills needed to tackle real-world challenges facing our cities and towns. Over the course of four months, teams will learn and practice a broad range of strategies to embrace differing viewpoints and build consensus to maximize success. Team applications are due by May 17.

Celebrations of Pride in Washington State
June 7 | Online
Pride is a celebration of the many contributions made by the LGBTQIA+ community to our history, society, and culture. It is recognized in June to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising of June 1969. Join our online forum on June 7 to learn about the history of Pride in Washington, hear how cities across the state are celebrating Pride today, and discuss with your peers the many ways to be a year-round ally our LGBTQIA+ friends and community members. Register now.

Initiative fact sheets now available
This year’s legislative session saw the introduction of six initiatives to the Legislature, an unusually high number. Of those initiatives, three are moving forward to the ballot box in November’s general election to be decided by voters:

• Initiative 2109—Repealing the capital gains tax
• Initiative 2117—Repealing the Climate Commitment Act
• Initiative 2124—Making the WA Cares Fund voluntary

If passed, each initiative will have direct or indirect implications for Washington cities. While AWC does not take positions on ballot measures, we provide factual information on the potential impacts to our members. We encourage you to learn more about each initiative and what they could mean for your city. 

Let’s celebrate: May 13-17 is Infrastructure Week!
Learn about the many investments being made into our statewide transportation and infrastructure system and check out funding opportunities available to your city. 

• Explore the Rebuilding America dashboard to see all the projects in Washington funded by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) programs to date.
• Check out AWC’s BIL funding fact sheet, highlighting several Washington city infrastructure projects underway.
• Register for a free grant application bootcamp from the Local Infrastructure Hub for help applying for federal infrastructure funding.
• Visit AWC’s BIL webpage for a wide range of infrastructure funding news, opportunities, and resources.

Send your city's voting delegates to the AWC Business Meeting
Mark your calendar for AWC's Business Meeting on Thursday, June 20. This important meeting takes place in Vancouver in conjunction with our Annual Conference. Your city can designate up to three voting delegates to vote on candidates for the Board of Directors. To designate your voting delegates, complete the voting delegate form on the AWC website by 5 pm on June 13. If you have any questions, contact Betsy Hildreth.

Deadline extended: Apply to serve on an AWC committee, state board, or advisory committee
AWC is currently recruiting city officials and select staff to serve on numerous AWC committees, state boards, and advisory committees. View all opportunities or click on individual committees below for details. Apply by May 20.

AWC committees:

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Cabinet (three city elected officials)
• Small City Advisory Committee (city elected officials and senior staff members)

State boards and advisory committees:

• Bridge Replacement Advisory Committee (senior staff member)
• Citizens Committee on Pipeline Safety (city elected official)
• Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (city representative)
• Public Health Advisory Board (city elected official or senior staff member)
• Public Works Board (public works director)
• Puget Sound Partnership Ecosystem Coordinating Board (city elected official)
• Select Committee on Pension Policy (city manager or finance director)
• Shorelines Hearings Board (city elected officials and senior staff)
• Transportation Improvement Board (city planning director)
• Washington State Board of Health (city elected official)
• Washington State Enhanced 911 Advisory Committee (city elected official or senior staff member)

Other news & resources

The 2024 AWC Salary and Benefit Survey is open until Friday, May 17. Remember to contribute your city's data to this important tool today! More

Lodging tax reports are due May 17. Submit your city’s required annual reporting on 2023 lodging tax expenditures to the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee (JLARC) lodging tax reporting system. More

Department of Commerce funding is available to law enforcement agencies for vehicle pursuit technology. Apply by May 27. More

Check out the State Auditor’s Office resources for meeting the May 29 deadline to file annual financial reports—find FAQs, training, and technical assistance. More

Washington State Office of Public Defense’s Simple Possession Advocacy and Representation Program is accepting applications for funding through May 31. More

Know of someone retiring? Nominate them for AWC’s civic service recognition by June 1. More

Comment by June 7 on Commerce’s draft plans to address homelessness: the 2024-2029 State Homeless Housing Strategic Plan and the 2025-2030 Local Homeless Housing Plan Guidance. More

Celebrate your city pride in the Parade of Flags at the AWC Annual Conference in Vancouver—reserve your spot by June 11! More

The JLARC Public Records Reporting System is open through July 1 for reporting 2023 data. More

Read new guidance from MRSC on obligating remaining ARPA funds. More

Razor’s edge: A freshman city council member wins by the slimmest of margins
When he decided to run for city council two years after moving to Rainier, Ryan Roth didn’t think that casting his vote would make national news. Read this story from Cityvision.

AWC trainings & events

AWC: Celebrations of Pride in Washington State | June 7 | Online

AWC: Annual Conference | June 18-21 | Vancouver, WA
When you register for Annual Conference, be sure to also register for the special FEMA session on June 21, offering an overview of senior officials’ role in the National Incident Management System. To attend this free session, select it during the conference registration process.

D&A: Supervisor training | Multiple dates | Multiple locations

AWC: Elected Officials Essentials webinar series | Multiple dates | Online

• September 12: Social media 101
• October 17: Tribal government relations 101
• November 7: Human resources 101

Other trainings & events

EFCN: Building climate resilience for small wastewater systems | May 21 | Online

EPA: Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA): Helping communities access funding | May 22 | Online

Good Group Decisions: How to prevent and manage conflict in groups | May 22 | Online

MRSC: Resources for implementing the new HB 1181 climate requirements | May 23 | Online

RCAC: Cyber security for utilities: Protect your utility’s computer network from cyber-threats. Multiple dates | Online

Ruckelshaus: Housing security workshop: Applying guiding principles | June 13 | Online

MRSC: Legislative update on 2024 public records bills | June 13 | Online

State Archives: Records management workshops | Multiple dates | Online

NLC: Webinars and events | Multiple dates | Online

Did you know? 1,200+ individuals have alerts set so they can view your new posting the moment it goes live. Post your jobs on AWC JobNet today!

Featured jobs:
Town of Cathlamet | Public Works Superintendent
City of Edgewood | Planning Manager
AWC | Health Promotion Coordinator

AWC’s mission is to serve our members through advocacy, education, and services.
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