September 18, 2024
Supreme Court announces public hearing details for proposed indigent defense standards
The Washington Supreme Court has released details for how to participate in the September 25 public hearing on the proposed indigent defense standard. AWC has been invited to testify, along with other associations representing local governments, prosecution and defense attorneys, and judicial administrators. We encourage cities that wish to participate to register in advance and attend the hearing to make their voices heard. Learn more.
Now open! AWC’s new grant for energy audits of city-owned buildings
Does your city own a building of 20,000+ square feet in need of an energy audit? AWC has funding to help. We’ve received $3.8 million to assist cities conduct energy audits of their Tier 1 and Tier 2 buildings and to gather data on estimated costs to comply with state’s Clean Buildings Performance Standard. Visit our program webpage to learn about the funding, how to apply, and what resources are available to assist your city through the process.
L&I proposes 2025 workers’ compensation rates—first responders to see large increases
The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has released its proposed workers’ compensation rates for 2025. The average rate will go up by 3.8%. For the second straight year, L&I is using reserves to buy down the rate to prevent a higher average rate hike. Several job classes important to cities, including first responders, are expected to see double-digit increases. Read more.
Municipal budgeting 101: Register today 
September 25 | Online
Don’t miss the chance to dive into the fundamentals of the municipal budgeting cycle and the crucial role of elected officials in the budget process. Join the next webinar in our Elected Officials Essentials series to learn how to use your budget as a powerful tool for prioritizing and addressing your community's needs. We’ll also examine how city staff can best support elected officials throughout the budgeting process. Open to all AWC members—register now.
Unlocking & unleashing the untapped potential of civic pride
Since its publication in 2011, Peter Kageyama’s For the Love of Cities has become a must-read for local elected officials nationwide. The author and urbanist—and a keynote speaker at this year’s AWC Annual Conference—has worked with several Washington cities, including Kenmore and Sedro-Woolley, to help them embrace and leverage the things that make them unique. Read more in the feature story from the latest issue of Cityvision magazine.
Other news & resources
Do you have questions about AWC’s Salary and Benefit Survey? Check out this overview for background on the survey and tips on how to use it. More
Could a retail delivery fee be a potential transportation funding tool for cities? Check out our new fact sheet. More
Federal Highway Administration announces new details of Low-Carbon Transportation Materials Grants Program. Register for an informational webinar on September 25. More
DES invites city procurement staff to attend the Washington Procurement Connect in Tacoma on October 8, a free, all-day conference offering accredited training and the chance to connect with small, diverse, and certified veteran-owned businesses in Washington. More
HUD announces Legacy Challenge, a new flexible loan program to leverage Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) resources for affordable housing. The deadline to express interest is November 1. More
$2 billion is available through EPA’s new environmental and climate justice Community Change Grants Program. Apply by November 21. More
The Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) is currently accepting applications for funding to support utility connections for affordable housing. More
Clean buildings performance compliance deadlines are around the corner: Learn more by attending Commerce’s clean buildings office hours, scheduled for the fourth Tuesday of each month. More
Now accepting applications: WCMA and UW Evans School partner to offer Building Resilient Local Governments graduate certificate program to train professional staff in organizational resilience. Register for an upcoming info session. More
Learn about new mandatory ADA standards for local government websites and apps, beginning spring 2026. More
NLC offers strategies for promoting community civility to reduce local political violence. More
Check out MRSC’s budgeting resources
As you navigate budget season, be sure to explore the great resources offered by the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC). From their ever-popular Budget Suggestions publication, to guidance on budgeting policies and procedures, to data on population, taxes, and state-shared revenues, MRSC’s budget resources are full of useful information for cities and towns.
AWC trainings & events
AWC: Elected Officials Essentials webinar series | Multiple dates | Online
- September 25: Municipal budgeting 101
- October 17: Tribal government relations 101
- November 7: Human resources 101
AWC: Mayors Exchange | October 3-4 | Ellensburg
RMSA: RMSA Annual Meeting | October 8 | Chelan
AWC: Member Expo | October 9-10 | Chelan
D&A: Supervisor training | Multiple dates | Multiple locations
Trust: Wellness Planning Workshops | Multiple dates | Multiple locations
Other trainings & events
MRSC: Practical tips for local permitting | September 25 | Online
PSRC: Planning for people and amenities in transit-oriented communities | September 27 | Online
MRSC: Addressing public health impacts of climate change | October 22 | Online
IACC: Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council 2024 Conference | October 22-24 | Wenatchee
MRSC: Public Records Act basics & more—Virtual workshop | November 7 | Online
State Archives: Records management workshops | Multiple dates | Online
NLC: Webinars and events | Multiple dates | Online
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