April 10, 2024

Save the date for AWC’s 2024 Annual Conference
June 18-21 | Vancouver, WA
Registration opens next week for AWC’s Annual Conference—let’s get together and celebrate our love of cities! With its city-focused agenda, Annual Conference offers general sessions, small city sessions, concurrent sessions, mobile tours, and networking events designed to educate and inspire. You’ll return to your community with new ideas, insights, and connections. Registration opens April 17!

Labor Relations Institute: Register today
May 8-10 | Yakima
AWC’s Labor Relations Institute is the premier training event for public sector human resources professionals in Washington. Join us in Yakima to learn about police recruitment and retention strategies from Monica Alexander, Director of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, and explore the impact of HR systems on the delivery of frontline city services from Ron Holifield, CEO of Strategic Government Resources. Register today! Note: Attendance at the Institute is limited to those who solely represent the interests of management. Please keep this in mind when forwarding this announcement to others on your staff who might be interested.

Tap into federal infrastructure and energy funding
Millions of dollars in competitive Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding are still available to cities, and millions more are offered through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Some leg work is needed to submit a competitive application, but there are many great—and free—resources to help. Check out these strategies from the Local Infrastructure Hub, learn how cities can take advantage of the IRA’s Direct Pay provision, and finally, bookmark AWC’s BIL and IRA webpages so you can visit them regularly for updates.

Is Washington state’s Public Records Act losing its power?
AWC Government Relations Director Candice Bock sat down recently for a joint interview on KUOW with Mike Fancher, President of the Washington Coalition for Open Government and retired Seattle Times Executive Editor, for a conversation about the future of the Public Records Act (PRA). They discussed some of the pressing concerns about the impact of the PRA and ideas on how it could be updated. Listen to the discussion.

Jason Moon Connecting beyond campaign mode: Doorbelling, diversity, and leadership in Mukilteo
In 2022, Jason Moon became the first Korean American to serve on Mukilteo’s city council. In 2023, Moon ran unopposed but campaigned as if opposed, calling on local businesses and homes to help build discourse, listen, and connect with the people of Mukilteo. Moon approached community engagement and leadership by embracing the art of doorbelling—and promoting inclusion through continual community outreach. Read (or listen to) this Cityvision story.

Jason Moon Learn about AWC Board districts at a member listening session
The AWC Board of Directors created the Ad Hoc Bylaws Review Committee to evaluate the districts of the AWC Board. The Committee is conducting its work this spring and will hold membership listening sessions to provide updates on the committee’s work, answer questions, and listen to members’ feedback. Sessions are May 2 and June 6. AWC members are encouraged to attend.

Other news & resources

Help shape AWC’s 2025 legislative agenda: Complete this survey to share ideas for the Legislative Priorities Committee to consider. More

The 2024 AWC Salary and Benefit Survey is open through May 3. Contribute your city's data to this important tool today! More

The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued an important decision on government liability for social media activities under the First Amendment. Get up to speed with this article from MRSC, along with this National League of Cities’ blog post and upcoming webinar.

Washington State Digital Equity Plan wins approval and $15.9 million in federal funding. More

AWC sends letter to Washington Supreme Court on Proposed Public Defense Standards. More

MRSC explores how local governments can support the growth of diverse childcare options in their communities, and what role planners can play in this process. Check out Part One and Part Two of this blog series.

City officials who serve on their local 911 board or agency are encouraged to apply to serve on the Enhanced 911 Advisory Committee by April 15. More

USDA opens application cycle for the Revolving Funds for Financing Water and Wastewater Projects program. Apply by May 1. More

Join the Ruckelshaus Center for a series of free online workshops to delve into the findings of a three-year project on enhancing housing security in Washington. More

WaTech’s State & Local Cybersecurity Grant Program accepting applications through May 10. More

Check out local government funding opportunities for community-based violence intervention and prevention from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. More

100 art Elected Officials Essentials: Your first 100 days
Congratulations on completing your first 100 days in office! AWC resources can continue to help you be the most effective leader you can be. Here are just a few ways for you to stay connected and continue to learn and lead:

Stay up to date on the latest city news by reading CityVoice every Wednesday and the Legislative Bulletin weekly during session and monthly during the interim.
Read our quarterly Cityvision magazine for inspiring and educational city stories.
Work toward your Certificate of Municipal Leadership through our live events and on-demand elearnings.
Register for our Elected Officials Essentials webinar series to build a solid foundation and earn CML credits across all competency areas.

AWC trainings & events

AWC: Elected Officials Essentials webinar series | 2024 dates | Online

April 18: GMA planning 101
May 16: Finance 101
September 12: Social media 101
October 17: Tribal government relations 101
November 7: Human resources 101

D&A: Drug & alcohol supervisor training | Multiple dates | Multiple locations

AWC: Small City Connectors | Multiple dates | Multiple locations

April 24 | Napavine
May 2 | Roslyn
May 9 | Medical Lake

RMSA: Law enforcement pursuit law update | April 30 | Online

AWC: Labor Relations Institute | May 8-10 | Yakima

RMSA: Public Records Act—What you need to know | May 14 | Online

Other trainings & events

SAO: Introduction to State Auditor’s annual filing system | April dates | Online

MRSC: Public Records Act basics & more—Virtual workshop | April dates | Online

State Archives: What’s funny about records management? | April 19 | Online

MRSC: Apprentice utilization requirements and prevailing wage reporting | April 24 | Online

MRSC: Preparing for the future: Small works changes and the new statewide roster | May 2 | Spokane

State Archives: Records management workshops | Multiple dates | Online

NLC: Webinars and events | Multiple dates | Online

JobNet’s featured jobs get some of our highest click rates. Want to see your job posting right here in CityVoice? Check out our add-on options including premium featured listings, which get posted below.

Featured jobs:
City of Lynden | Finance Director
City of Issaquah | Planning Manager
City of Tumwater | Communications Manager