About MRSCMunicipal Research and Services CenterMRSC_a856e706-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f16937The Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) is a nonprofit organization that helps local governments across Washington State better serve their citizens by providing legal and policy guidance on any topic. At MRSC, we believe the most effective government is a well-informed local government, and as cities, counties, and special purpose districts face rapid changes and significant challenges, we are here to help. For more than 80 years, local governments have turned to MRSC for assistance on every topic imaginable. Our trusted staff attorneys, policy consultants, and finance experts have decades of experience and provide personalized guidance by phone and email, at conferences and training sessions, and through our extensive online resources. Every year we answer thousands of questions as we help staff and elected officials research policies, comply with state and federal laws, and improve day-to-day operations. MRSC is also at the forefront of emerging issues that affect local government operations. We are the go-to source of information on major legislation, including the Growth Management Act, the legalization of recreational marijuana, and the ever-evolving complexities of the Public Records Act, to name a few. When the legal landscape changes, we are here to clarify the issues and help local government leaders make the right decisions for their communities. MRSC serves all 281 cities and towns in Washington, all 39 counties, and hundreds of special purpose districts, state agencies, and other government partners. Originally established in 1934 as the University of Washington Bureau of Governmental Research, MRSC has operated as a private nonprofit since 1969.MRSC Board of DirectorsJuly 2018 to June 2019Cathy MulhallPresident -- County Administrator, Chelan CountyJane ChristensonVice President -- Deputy City Administrator, RedmondDaniel BigelowSecretary -- Prosecutor, Wahkiakum CountyJohn CaulfieldPast President -- City Manager, LakewoodCharlie BushCity Manager, SequimKate DeanCommissioner, Jefferson CountyAl FrenchCommissioner, Spokane CountyMahbubul IslamCommissioner, Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer DistrictChuck JohnsonCouncilmember, East WenatcheeGlenn JohnsonMayor, PullmanBeth MunnsCouncilmember, Oak HarborKari SandCity Attorney, Mercer IslandShelly ShortState Senator, 7th Legislative DistrictLarry SpringerState Representative/Deputy Majority Leader, 45th Legislative DistrictEd SternCouncilmember, PoulsboSteve TaylorCity Manager, KelsoTom VanceFormer Mayor, SammamishMRSC StaffTracy BurrowsExecutive DirectorFlannary CollinsManaging AttorneyOskar ReyLegal ConsultantPaul SullivanLegal ConsultantMoses GarciaLegal ConsultantJill DvorkinLegal ConsultantLinda GallagherLegal ConsultantSteve ButlerPolicy Manager - Planning ConsultantJudy IsaacPublic Works ConsultantToni NelsonFinance ConsultantByron KatsuyamaPublic Policy and Management ConsultantLaura CrandallPolicy and Finance AnalystTaira AndersonRosters ManagerSandra VongControllerLarkin HubrigAccounting and Administrative AssistantAimy EnriquezHR and Administrative CoordinatorEric ChangIT ManagerJon RoseFinance and Administrative ManagerSarah BollardReceptionistIngrid de la JaraCommunications ManagerSteve HawleySenior Communications CoordinatorGabrielle NicasInformation Specialist / LibrarianLeah LaCivitaCommunications CoordinatorMarissa RoesijadiSenior DesignerMRSC PartnersState of WashingtonPrimary Funding -- The majority of MRSC's funding comes from a small portion of city and county liquor revenues distributed by the State of Washington. Pooling these resources allows us to provide services to all 281 cities/towns and 39 counties, regardless of their size or resources, in a cost-efficient manner that saves the individual jurisdictions a significant amount of staff time and legal/consulting fees.MRSC Contract PartnersMRSC also serves hundreds of special purpose districts and other government agencies across Washington State through contracts with:EndurisAssociation of Washington Public Hospital Districts (AWPHD)Washington Association of Sewer & Water Districts (WASWD)See our Water-Sewer Resources: http://mrsc.org/getdoc/5e5f216a-b440-454f-b80e-fdb300513aed/Information-Resources-for-Washington-Water-Sewer-D.aspxWashington Cities Insurance Authority (WCIA)Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA)See our Port District Resources: http://mrsc.org/getdoc/4492e53c-c8f0-4e93-8a49-9fe38fd01122/Port-District-Resources.aspx Washington State Transit Association (WSTA)MRSC Sustaining PartnersMRSC would also like to extend a special thank you to our Sustaining Partners, whose support helps ensure that our services will continue to be available to local governments regardless of their size or resources. Sustaining Partners also get full access to our one-on-one Ask MRSC research service, and our top partners are recognized in our webinars and e-newsletters reaching thousands of local government staff and officials statewide. Interested in becoming a Sustaining Partner? Contact Aimy Enriquez at aenriquez@mrsc.org or visit our Sustaining Partnership page to learn more!Kenyon Disend, PLLCPremier PartnerLane PowellExecutive PartnerMRSC Strategic PartnersCairncross & Hempelmann, PSCarpenter McGuire & DeWulf, PSInslee Best, PSOgden Murphy Wallace, PLLCPacifica Law Group, LLPSAFEbuiltVander Stoep, Remund, Blinks and Jones AttorneysWeed, Graafstra & Associates, Inc., PSMRSC Basic PartnersAHBL The Athena GroupBHC Consultants, LLCCommunity Attributes Inc.Davis Arneil Law Firm, LLPEngstrom Law, PLLCGray & Osborne Inc.Harris & Wakayama, PLLCHough Beck & Baird Inc.Jurassic ParliamentKenneth B. Woodrich, PCLaw Office of Richard L Hughes, PLLCLaw Office of Susan Elizabeth Drummond, PLLCMakers Architecture & Urban Design, LLPMorris Law, PCSound Employment Solutions, LLCCitizens in Washington State are better served_a856e7ec-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f16937To help local governments across Washington State better serve their citizens_a856e8c8-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f16937ConsultationProvide answers to questions._a856eb20-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f169371Eligible Government EmployeesFree, One-on-One Consultation -- Have a question? Ask MRSC! Officials and employees from eligible government agencies can use our free one-on-one consultation service. With one call or click you can get a personalized answer from one of our trusted attorneys, policy consultants, or finance experts!_a856ebf2-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f16937E-NewslettersWrite about local government topics._a856ecba-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f169372MRSC staff regularly write about a wide variety of local government topics, including new legislation and court decisions, emerging issues, policy guidance, and management tips. To stay up-to-date with the latest news and MRSC analysis, sign up for our e-newsletters._a856ed96-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f16937Legal & Policy GuidanceProvide legal and policy guidance on local government issues._a856ee5e-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f169373Topic Pages Explore topics on the MRSC website to get legal and policy guidance on hundreds of local government issues, including helpful explanations, relevant statutes and court decisions, examples of different policy approaches, and recommended resources for further information._a856ef26-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f16937InformationProvide information for local governments._a856f02a-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f169374Research Tools -- Our extensive research tools provide a wealth of information for local governments, including:DocumentsEnable searches of local government documents._a856f0fc-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f169374.1Search through thousands of local government documents selected and curated by MRSC staff, including policies, ordinances, RFPs, and more.Codes & WebsitesEnable searching of multiple city/county codes or websites at once._a856f1ce-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f169374.2City & Town ProfilesProvide information on cities and towns._a856f2aa-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f169374.3CitiesTownsGet information on city populations, classification, form of government, officials, and moreCounty ProfilesProvide information on counties._a856f37c-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f169374.4CountiesGet information on county populations and links to lists of officials and important documentsOther ToolsProvide additional tools._a856f458-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f169374.5Other tools related to local ballot measures, statutory competitive bidding requirements, utility liens and shutoffs, and more!Webinars & TrainingsProvide webinars and trainings on issues of interest to local governments._a856f5e8-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f169375Local GovernmentsMRSC provides webinars and trainings on issues of interest to local governments, such as ethics, open government, procurement, budgeting, and more. Our staff members are also frequent speakers at local government conferences and events._a856f6c4-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f16937PublicationsProvide an in-depth look at key local government issues._a856f796-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f169376Our downloadable publications provide an in-depth look at key local government issues such as public records, open public meetings, budgeting, procurement, the roles and legal responsibilities of elected officials, and more._a856f890-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f16937Business ConnectionsConnect local governments to businesses_a856fb74-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f169377Local GovernmentsBusinessesRosters to Connect with Businesses -- MRSC provides its own roster service for local governments across Washington, connecting hundreds of local governments to thousands of businesses for public works, consulting services, and purchases. To sign up or learn more, visit MRSCrosters.org._a856fc5a-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f16937OverviewProvide a webinar overview of MRSC's services_a856fdae-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f169378This 55-minute recorded webinar provides a comprehensive overview of MRSC's tools, resources, and information, along with tips on how to use MRSC’s website more effectively: https://youtu.be/rB4hsu9vsuY_a856fe94-ad5d-11e8-a0ec-c0b8f9f169372018-08-31http://mrsc.org/Home/About-MRSC.aspxOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net