December 11, 2024

Register now for City Action Days!
February 19-20, 2025 | Lacey
Held annually during the legislative session, this popular event for city officials includes updates on city legislative priorities, insider panels, and news about the latest legislative hot topics. Don’t miss the chance to hear from Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy, one of this year’s featured speakers. Attendees can also participate in the “hill climb” to meet with your statewide decision-makers about our legislative priorities at the state Capitol in Olympia. Register now!

EOE webinar series: Promoting a positive workplace
December 18 | Online
A workplace free of discrimination and harassment is crucial to a positive and productive work environment and to avoiding costly claims. Join us for the final webinar of our 2024 Elected Officials Essentials series to explore how to promote a healthy and lawful workplace from the top down. Discover how elected and appointed leaders can create and enforce sound policies to ensure a workplace free of harassment and retaliation. Register now—and watch for a new EOE series in 2025!

Reminder: Nominate a local student leader for a CQC scholarship!
The AWC Center for Quality Communities (CQC) is accepting 2025 scholarship nominations for civic-minded young leaders in Washington's cities and towns. Up to three $3,000 scholarships may be awarded in Spring 2025 to graduating high school students. Visit the scholarship page to find more information, outreach resources, and tips for identifying talented and engaged students in your community. City nominations are due to the CQC by January 27, 2025.

Comment by January 8 to help shape the Model Public Records Act Rules
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has set a January 8, 2025 deadline for “informal written comments” on the Model Public Records Act (PRA) Rules amendments that were proposed by The Seattle Times and other news organizations in October. The AGO will use these comments to create their own draft rule to move through the rulemaking process. Cities should not miss the chance to influence the trajectory of the Model PRA Rules from the beginning. Learn more and share your city’s perspective.

Check out the latest issue of Cityvision magazine!
The winter edition of AWC’s Cityvision magazine spotlights inspiring city stories from all over Washington. Find tips to help you prepare for the long legislative session and learn how Washington’s cities become stronger together by tackling urgent needs through collaboration, coalition-building, and partnerships. This edition also includes an interview with AWC Board Secretary and Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring. Read it here.

Other news & resources

Final call: Learn about AWC’s open committee recruitments and apply to serve by December 13. More

City elected officials and staff: Apply for the Building Resilient Local Governments graduate certificate program by December 30. More

Did you miss AWC’s recent childcare access listening session? Read about the key takeaways and watch the recording. More

Social media and public agencies: MRSC offers strategies to harness communication potential and avoid legal challenges. More

Washington Secretary of State’s office is kicking off the 2025-26 Local Records Grants cycle with informational webinars beginning in December. Learn more and get ready to apply in February. More

The National Civic League is now accepting applications for the 2025 All-America City Award—this year’s theme is Strengthening environmental sustainability through inclusive community engagement. Letters of intent are due December 30. More

Time is running out to obligate remaining ARPA funds! The first major deadline for ARPA is December 31—the date by which cities must have all their ARPA-SLFRF funds properly obligated. More

Local government staff working on climate-related issues are invited to join the next quarterly meeting of the Washington Climate Action Peer Network, online January 16. More

Apply by January 31 for AWC’s new grant for energy audits of city-owned buildings. More

State Broadband Office opens application for $1.2 billion in federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding. More

CityVoice Podcast: Discover the power of TUFS
Every two years, AWC conducts the Tax and User Fee Survey, also known as TUFS. Join Brianna Morin, AWC Policy Analyst, for an engaging discussion on TUFS and how your community can leverage this invaluable data. Listen to the discussion on our recent CityVoice Podcast.

AWC trainings & events

AWC: EOE webinar series: Promoting a positive workplace | December 18 | Online

AWC: District 13 meeting (rescheduled) | January 10 | Maple Valley

AWC: EOE webinar series: Recognizing implicit bias | January 15 | Online

AWC: District 8 meeting | January 16 | Everett

AWC: Mayors Exchange | January 24 | Olympia

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

Other trainings & events

MRSC: Work-life harmony (not balance!) | December 17 | Online

DOJ: Public Defense Resource Hub—Federal grant funding opportunities | December 17 | Online

MRSC: PRA case law highlights 2025 | January 9 | Online

NLC: Webinars and events | Multiple dates | Online

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 Maple Valley | Economic and Community Development Director
City of Lynnwood | Public Works Director

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