The Courthouse Journal A Joint Publication of the Washington State Association of Counties & Washington Association of County Officials August 25, 2000 Number 19 COUNTY AND CITY APPOINTEES TO 2392 TASK FORCE MEET As announced in last week's Courthouse Journal, the local government representatives met on August 22 in Olympia. The discussion covered process and substance. On the process front, it was agreed that Stew Menefee (Grays Harbor County Prosecutor) and Ed Hansen (City of Everett Mayor) were named co-chairs of the local government caucus. Members also agreed that they would like to see the Task Force expanded to include ex-officio representation from the Department of Revenue and the Office of Community Development. Currently the Governor is limited to one appointee. He has appointed the Director of the Office of Financial Management. The caucus decided on three ground rules for local government members: 1. No surprises: county and city members try to make sure that they give their counterparts adequate notice when they agree to disagree. 2. No win-lose solutions: counties and cities will not put forward proposals to redistribute current resources at the other's expense without mutual consent. 3. Work for unified positions: there is little chance for success if counties and cities fail to take a unified approach. We will try to have frank and open discussions in the caucus, but we will drive to consensus. On the substance front, the members identified three priorities. They directed the staff to continue working on wording, so they are presented here in rough draft: 1. Immediate additional funding for counties and cities in the 2001 session 2. Improved funding for ongoing responsibilities of local government 3. Establish a reliable process to fund new mandates The full task force meets in Olympia on August 30. ************************************** WACO CONFERENCE REGISTRATIONS The 42nd Annual WACO Conference is being held at the WestCoast Tri-Cities, in Kennewick, October 2 - 6. Registration materials will be sent out next week, running later than usual. We know that many of our officials have already made hotel reservations, but if you have not yet called the WestCoast, the number is (509) 783-0611 or toll-free at 800-325-4000. Room rates are $72, plus tax, for single, double, triple or quad. The golf tournament will be held on Monday, October 2, which will be the travel day for most county officials. Tuesday, October 3, two excellent training sessions will be held concurrently from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: "Disciplinary Actions and Terminations," with Kathy Peck, attorney at law, and "Innovative Approaches in Employee Selection," with Peter Scontrino. Both workshops are approved for credit through the County Officials' Training and Certification Course (COTCC). Tuesday evening, a kick-off reception will be held. Wednesday the opening general session will have something for everyone and Senator Valoria Loveland, 16th District, will be the guest speaker during lunch. That afternoon affiliate groups will hold business meetings and finalize their legislative priorities, which will be presented to the WACO Board of Trustees on Thursday morning. Wednesday night, the president's reception honoring Stew Menefee, Grays Harbor County Prosecutor, will be held at the historic Moore Mansion, on the Columbia River, just minutes away from our conference site. Busses will be available. Affiliates will have all day Thursday for business and training, and several joint meetings among affiliates have also been planned. The annual banquet that evening will be full of entertainment and a "burning of the mortgage" has been planned to celebrate the final payment on the Washington Counties Building. Friday, during the annual business meeting, the membership will vote on the final WACO legislative package for the 2001 legislative session. Watch for registration packets and an agenda, in the next few days! We're looking forward to a well-attended and worthwhile conference. ************************************** I-722 RAISES MANY QUESTIONS - FEW ANSWERS (BY FRED SAEGER, WACO) This is the fifth and last article in a series, pointing out some of the questions and issues that will be faced by county officials if I-722 passes a vote of the public in November. I-722 includes many provisions, so I have discussed different aspects each week. A copy of I-722 was included in the mailing of The Courthouse Journal, which was sent out on July 21. If you need another copy, you can contact the WACO office or get one directly from the Secretary of State's web site at . Also, the Office of Financial Management (OFM) has a preliminary analysis of the fiscal impacts of I-722 online at OFM expects to have a final set of impact statements by mid September. Section 3(1) prohibits any increase "...over its 1999 valuation level, plus the lesser of 2% per year or inflation..." This appears to be an attempt to "roll back" any value increases which took place this year over the values that were used in 1999. However, some assessors have indicated that due to the cooling housing market in some parts of the state, the 2000 values that they are putting on the roll this year are less than what were on the tax rolls for 1999. So, in an attempt to "roll back" the value increases for some property owners by returning all values to their "1999 valuation level," some properties will actually have their valuations "rolled up." The "roll back" requirement will place tax rolls in a position where some properties will be higher than the market, most will be lower than the market, and probably very few properties will be at true market value. Now, consider further counties that are on the a multi-year valuation cycle. A systematic revaluation cycle was upheld by the Supreme Court several years ago in recognition that it was nearly impossible for every property to be physically inspected every year. The Supreme Court ruled that as long as everybody had their "turn-in-the-barrel," that a multi-year revaluation met the uniformity requirement. I-722 requires a four-year cyclical county to roll back the 2000 values being calculated this year to the 1999 level and freeze the 1999 values for the other three reval areas. In one quarter of a county to be revalued this year, only those properties whose values did not change in the previous four years would be correctly set. Those that had increased or decreased would be returned to their 1999 value, which would not be the correct value. The one quarter of a county that was revalued in 1999 would not be changed, but would be one year old. The properties that were previously revalued in 1998 and in 1997 and are two and three years old respectively, would most likely be undervalued. Therefore, if you look at all four revaluation areas you would have: the 1997 revaluation area--almost all of which is incorrect; the 1998 revaluation area--most all of which is incorrect; the 1999 revaluation area- -which is one year old so some are incorrect; and the 2000 revaluation area- -where the only properties that will be correctly valued would be those that had not changed in value in the previous four years. These values would be the foundation upon which future adjustments under I-722 would be made. No longer would each area of the county receive its systematic turn- in-the-barrel, which the court indicated was necessary for the four-year revaluation cycle to meet the constitutional uniformity test. Using the 1999 valuation as above and adjusting by the lessor of the IPD or 2% for future years may be sufficiently flawed to violate the uniformity provision of the state constitution, so the court may never get to the question of whether the 2% limit is an exemption or value cap. I-722 appears to establish a base that flies in the face of uniformity because we have properties above the market, below the market and very few at their true and fair market value. When Tim Eyman filed I-710, this section said "The valuation of property can only be increased by the rate of inflation, not to exceed 2% per year only if the value of the property increased." When he refiled as I-722, all references to market value were taken out. Nothing in I-722 says this roll back and future percentage adjustment is just for residential properties; all property, not "otherwise exempt from property taxes," and the sale of which is subject to the local real estate excise tax, is covered. The sponsor says this means all property; "both commercial AND residential property (I-722 treats all property, regardless of use or ownership, equally)." Residential, commercial, industrial, farms, timberlands, senior citizen homes, etc., all are subject to local real estate excise in most parts of the state and are not "exempt." This could mean that specific formulas that are dictated by RCW for open space, (farm and ag, timber, and open/open); designated and classified timber; and low income senior citizens, would no longer apply. If I-722 overrides current assessment standards for all other properties, why wouldn't it override the statute that provides such special treatment? Section 3(2) states as follows: "As long as construction materials are subject to the retail sales tax of chapter 82.08 RCW, a person shall be exempt from any legal obligation to pay the portion of property taxes on newly constructed or manufactured property after 1999 over the property tax imposed on the owner of a comparable property constructed as of 1999, plus the lesser of 2% per year or inflation." Properties that are included under this subsection, would be placed upon the property tax rolls based upon what this value would have been of a comparable property that was on the rolls in 1999, then adjusted by the lesser of inflation or 2% per year. For example, if we jump ahead 20 years, in the year 2020 the assessor will have to look at any new construction, determine what that property or new construction would have been worth had it been on the rolls in 1999, and then apply the percentage adjustments to that figure and then that value would be placed upon the tax rolls in 2020, subject to taxation in 2021. The likelihood of that property being placed on the rolls at its correct market value is extremely unlikely. Any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions on I-722 will be appreciated and I will be more than happy to share thoughts and suggestions with readers of The Courthouse Journal in future weeks. I can be reached at the following numbers: phone/360-753-7319; fax/360-664- 2812; or e-mail at . Note: The purpose of these articles over the past several weeks has been to stimulate discussion on the potential impacts of I-722 and get county officials to start thinking about how these issues might be dealt with. No one should take these articles as being hard and fast conclusions, just the thoughts of an individual who has spent a lot of time working on property tax issues. ************************************** WSAC EASTERN DISTRICT MEETING: FOCUS ON CRITICAL TOPICS The Fall 2000 meeting of the Eastern District, WSAC, takes place September 28 and 29 in Whitman County. Workshops take place at the Hawthorn Inn and Suites, Pullman, and activities include a tour of Schweitzer Engineering, a reception at the Washington State University Alumni Center and a barbecue at the Livestock Pavilion on campus. The meeting also anticipates election of officers for the Eastern District for the coming year. If you are interested in running for Secretary- Treasurer of the Eastern District, please contact Grant County Commissioner LeRoy Allison, who is heading the Nominating Committee. Workshop topics include: an overview of the initiatives that will appear on the fall ballot, many of which will affect counties directly or indirectly; a briefing and discussion of the Federal agencies "All H" salmon strategy and what it means to save the dams; a public comment opportunity on the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation options; the coming E-911 crisis. If any member has suggestions for additional items on the agenda please contact WSAC staff. Registration forms have been sent to all Eastern District Commissioners and also are attached to this Courthouse Journal. ************************************** SKAGIT COUNTY AUDITOR RESIGNS Skagit County Auditor Kathy Hill has resigned, effective August 31, because of serious ongoing health problems. Hill was elected in 1994 and re-elected in 1998. Prior to becoming an elected official, she worked in the Sheriff's office as an accountant and purchasing agent. Hill has been an active member of the Washington State Association of County Auditors, serving as co-chair of both the Elections and Finance Committees. We wish her a healthy and happy retirement. It is too late for candidates to file for the September 19 primary, so the Skagit County Republican Party will accept applications for Hill's post and forward three nominees to the county commissioners for consideration. The nominee selected will have to run for the office in 2001 to fill the unexpired term. County Commissioners expect to make the appointment the second week of September, but will appoint an interim auditor until the selection is made. ************************************** TRANSPORTATION ************************************** BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION COMING TO THURSTON COUNTY The Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation (BRCT) will host a Thurston County roundtable discussion of the transportation options developed by the commission. Join Governor Gary Locke and BRCT members September 11, 5:30 p.m., at the Thurston County Courthouse, 2000 Lakeridge Drive, Building One, Room 152 in Olympia. This meeting was recently added to the BRCT's schedule of public hearings and meetings in order to hear from as many people as possible regarding the proposed options. The agenda will include comments from Governor Locke and a short presentation on the BRCT's work. The balance of the time will be devoted to public comment. Other opportunities to comment on the BRCT options include public hearings Thursday, September 7, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bellevue Regional Library and Thursday, September 14, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Yakima County Courthouse. Several BRCT members also will attend and listen to county concerns at the WSAC fall conference September 28 in Pullman. WSAC is preparing formal written comments on the options and will be sending these to the BRCT following the WSAC Legislative Steering Committee meeting September 8. A draft version of the comments and a one-page overview of "talking points" regarding the options are available from WSAC staff Sophia Byrd at sbyrd@wacounties.org or 360-753-1886. The BRCT, composed of representatives from public and private sectors, has been developing recommendations for increasing efficiency, identifying transportation priorities, and stabilizing transportation funding in Washington state. The commission will present final recommendations to the Legislature and Governor Locke in December 2000. ************************************** ENVIRONMENT, LAND USE & RESOURCES ************************************** ECOLOGY BEGINNING DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW "POLLUTED WATERS" LIST The Federal Clean Water Act requires the state to develop - every two years -- a new list of "polluted waters" that need to be cleaned up. Since January 2000, Ecology has been managing water clean-up efforts under the just-approved 1998 list. Because of EPA's delay in approving the 1998 list, and their development of new federal regulations regarding TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Loads), a new list is not due until 2002. But the process begins now. It is a complicated and complex process, including the assumption that the new federal rules will actually be implemented. (EPA is currently prevented from implementing the new TMDL rules until October 2001.) In addition, Ecology is working on revising state water quality standards to better meet resource needs. Over the next few months, Ecology will be developing listing guidance for developing the list of polluted waters. It intends to provide a draft of the listing guidance to interested parties at the end of November, with comments due in early January 2001. An actual new polluted waters list is not expected to be published until December 2001. For more information and opportunities to meet informally with Ecology staff on this process, contact Nora Jewett, the project manager, at 360-407- 6479 or njew461@ecy.wa.gov. ************************************** DCTED ADOPTS NEW PROCEDURAL CRITERIA ON BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE The Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development has adopted as a rule six new sections of procedural criteria to provide counties and cities guidance in "identifying and including the best available science" in developing policies and development regulations to protect the functions and values of critical areas. The new rule takes effect on August 27, 2000. The Growth Management Act requires all counties and cities to include best available science in their critical area policies and regulations. The Legislature also has directed that all jurisdictions review, and if necessary, revise their plans and regulations, by September 1, 2002. The best available science rule provides counties and cities a procedure for acquiring and evaluating scientific information to determine whether it constitutes the best available science. It also provides guidance for demonstrating the best available science has been included in county critical areas policies and that special consideration has been given to anadromous fisheries. ************************************** YAKIMA BASIN MOVING FORWARD AGAIN ON WATERSHED PLANNING A $400,000 grant award from the Department of Ecology will bolster local efforts to develop a plan for managing water in the Yakima River basin. The grant will help the local planning unit as it enters its third year of work to meet the future water needs for the basin that encompasses all of Kittitas and Yakima counties and parts of Benton and Klickitat counties. "Watershed planning is alive and well in the Yakima River Basin," said Jim Milton, the recently appointed executive director of the Tri-County Water Resource Agency. "Despite a few bumps in the road, citizens have stepped forward and given thousands of hours of volunteer time, working in the various technical committees to address water quantity, water quality and habitat issues." Over the last two years, the Yakima planning unit has gathered data and assessed the needs of the basin and will now work to identify specific tasks that need to be accomplished to meet those needs. With the money, the planning unit hopes to fill gaps in information about the availability of ground and surface waters, the quality of water in many stream segments and the quality of fisheries habitat in the watershed. The 1998 Washington legislature enacted HB 2514 to establish a framework for watershed planning and provided money to help local groups pay for their efforts. This grant is part of $4.7 million earmarked for watershed planning statewide this year. "As we enter this final phase of planning, we hope to hit the deck running this fall and will be looking for more involvement from the water community at large to help us implement a successful plan," said Dueane Calvin, co- chair of the Yakima planning unit and steering committee. ************************************** HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES ************************************** TACOMA CITY COUNCIL TAKES ACTION ON PRECURSOR DRUGS TO METHAMPHETAMINE In what is probably a sign of actions to come from other jurisdictions, the Tacoma City Council unanimously agreed earlier in the week to limit the purchase of cold medications, such as Sudafed and Actifed, as well as diet pills, to three packages in a 24-hour period. Each package can contain no more than 48 tablets. These cold medications contain pseudoephedrine, which can be used in making methamphetamine. Washington has the second-highest number of meth labs in the nation, and Pierce County accounts for 40 percent of the meth labs busted in the state. In 1999, the Pierce Count Sheriff's Department responded to 197 lab sites. Customers or retailers who knowingly buy or sell too many cold medications face a maximum fine of $1,000 or 90 days in jail. Some retailers opposed the measure, saying it will unfairly burden consumers and stores. Councilman Steve Kirby, who backed the city ordinance, said enforcement will be focused on a few retail outlets that police suspect are selling large amounts of medications. Methamphetamine labs and the resulting use of the drug will be the subject of upcoming discussion and possible legislation in the 2001 Legislative Session including similar prohibitions on buying precursor drugs such as recently enacted by Tacoma. ************************************** MORE TEENS IN STATE ARE SMOKING DESPITE WARNINGS The most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey, sponsored by the US Centers for Disease Control, and co-authored by the Department of Health and Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, was released August 21 and reports increased smoking rates among teens in Washington State. Thirty- five percent of 12th-graders reported smoking in 1999 compared with 22 percent in 1992. Overall, 36% of Washington students in grades nine through 12 reported using some tobacco product, including chewing tobacco and cigars, within a month of filling out the questionnaires last year for the Youth Risk Behavior survey. That's 4% less than the national average. About 28% of Washington teens reported smoking cigarettes, 6.5% less than national numbers. Teens are also still drinking and driving despite being barraged by campaigns against mixing alcohol and automobiles. Nearly 28% of Washington 12th-graders said they rode with a driver who had been drinking compared with 35.3% in 1992. Nationwide, 33.1% of teens rode with a drinking driver. The state epidemiologist who helped write the report, Juliet VanEewyk, stated "obviously, when it comes to both tobacco and alcohol use, we haven't made much of an impact." The survey does contain some good news. Washington State teens beat the national average when it comes to physical activity and wearing their seat belts. Complete results of the Survey can be viewed at the Washington State Department of Health website at: www.doh.wa.gov/EHSPHL/Epidemiology/NICE/Publications/YRBS99.PDF. ************************************** CONTINUED EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH CHRONIC PUBLIC INEBRIATES IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE The Seattle City Council has taken action as part of a concerted effort by both the city and King County to handle the issue of chronic public inebriation in downtown Seattle. The Council, on August 21, approved the state's first alcohol-impact area in Pioneer Square and asked stores in the area to further restrict alcohol sales. Within an alcohol-impact area, the state Liquor Control Board can impose tougher rules on stores, restaurants and taverns that sell alcohol for consumption off the premises. Right now, only voluntary measures will be sought. Business owners will be asked to stop selling all alcohol between midnight and 9 AM. State law prohibits sales between 2 and 6 AM. They will also be asked to limit their sales of certain strong beverages, which tend to be both cheaper by the ounce and hold a higher percentage of alcoholic content. Councilmembers recognize it won't solve the entire problem but they are hopeful that additional people will seek chemical dependency treatment. About a dozen merchants are affected by the new rules. The push to get businesses to comply will be carried out by the Chronic Public Inebriate Systems Solution Committee, a county-sanctioned task force. If the City Council does not see evidence of compliance by early next year, they may ask the Liquor Board to make the rules mandatory. One testifier at the hearing expressed his concern that drunks will just migrate up the hill to Capital Hill. Another noted that taverns and restaurants are not restricted. Some concerned business owners indicated that they felt compelled to sign the voluntary agreements or they might lose their leases. Donald Lachman, a private consultant who has been working with both the city and the county on the issue, noted that the agreements are just part of a multi-pronged public-private effort to address Pioneer's long-standing problems. The next steps are economic plans to support the affected local stores and additional housing and services for the chronically abusing population. ************************************** WASHINGTON KIDS COUNT RELEASES REPORT ON MENTALLY ILL YOUTH Earlier in August, Washington Kids Count released the latest report on the mental and emotional health of Washington's kids. Kids Count is part of the University of Washington and examines a variety of factors affecting children's health and well being in Washington State. The report indicated that 64,800 children and adolescents in Washington show signs of behavioral and emotional problems serious enough to warrant treatment. That means 1 in 18 children ages 6 - 11 and 1 in 15 adolescents 12 - 17 suffers from some form of mental illness. The Regional Support Networks (RSNs) are currently serving approximately 33,000 children through the statewide network of community providers or less than 50% of the need. Certain factors make some children more susceptible to mental illness, according to the study. Children from single-parent homes are more likely to be affected. Youngsters from low-income families and whose parents didn't finish high schools are also more susceptible. Boys are more prone to suffer from behavioral problems than girls are. In addition, teen boys living in low-income or single-parent families are twice as likely to exhibit emotional disturbances as teenagers who aren't in those situations are. Variables that do not influence mental health are race and ethnicity. Data on the report came from a survey of American families in 13 states including Washington originally collected three years ago by the Urban Institute. It is the first time that general population data has been made available on the emotional well being of Washington's children. Mental illness in the young is especially hard on their families. Youth with schizophrenia often don't recognize their illness and refuse to take their medication. While the RSNs do treat large number of Washington's children who are mentally ill, it is undeniable that additional services, especially inpatient resources and early intervention during the school years, would be welcome. ************************************** LAW & JUSTICE ************************************** FEDS PRESENT NATIONAL SATELLITE BROADCAST ON UNDERAGE DRINKING The US Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention have announced they will present a nationwide satellite broadcast on Combating Underage Drinking on Friday, September 22. Underage alcohol use and access by youth has been identified as a serious problem by policymakers and the public. Alcohol is the drug most commonly used by youth. It is one of the most common contributors to injury, death and criminal behavior among young people. Early onset of alcohol use increases the risk for chronic alcohol addiction. The videoconference will provide participants with information about underage drinking patterns and problems, increasing awareness of its dangers and consequences. Trends in drinking by youth will also be reviewed. The efforts of three communities to combat the problem will be highlighted. Representatives from the three communities will be available to describe the impact of the intervention programs and to answer participants' questions. The videoconference will also review new initiatives by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to assist states and communities in developing effective strategies. The broadcast is designed for law enforcement, school administrators, juvenile court judges, community leaders, youth service providers, and local, state, and federal policymakers. Registration is free. If you are interested in coordinating and facilitating a downlink site in your community, please contact JJTAP, Attn: Jenny McWilliams, 301 Perkins Building, 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475-3102, phone: 606-622-6671, e-mail: ekujjtap@aol.com, or Fax: 606-622-4397 by September 15. If you just want to view the videoconference and need to know where registered sites are located, contact them after September 9. You will also be able to view the broadcast through the World Wide Web. For more information, visit www.juvenilenet.org. ************************************** NACO STEERING COMMITTEES ************************************** OPENINGS ON NACO TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE NACo has decided to create a new steering committee for Telecommunications and Technology. President Jane Hague has appointed Marilyn Pasisner of Montgomery County, MD as its chair. The Transportation Steering committee used to cover telecommunications, but it will now be its own committee. If any member of WSAC or WACO is interested in serving on the committee please contact Fred Saeger or Bill Vogler and your name will be nominated. ************************************** WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES/TRAININGS ************************************** WACO TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES WACO is offering several training opportunities for county officials this fall beginning the first week of September. Cost Allocation Plans and Indirect Cost Rate Training will be offered in Ellensburg on Wednesday, September 6, and in Olympia on Thursday, September 7. Glen David Halverson, MBA, CPA, president of Cost Evaluation Services, will instruct county auditors and financial analysts in the federal requirements for development of cost allocation plans and indirect cost rates in order to secure reimbursement for services and activities local governments provide. He will guide them from assembling the necessary financial and budgetary information to formation of a provisional plan. To date, over 70 registrations have been received. The course is sponsored jointly by WACO, the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (WAPA), and WAPA Support Enforcement Project. (Please note that the days of the week were reported incorrectly in last week's Courthouse Journal.) Information for two concurrent tracks to be offered on Tuesday, October 3, in conjunction with the WACO Annual Conference in Kennewick will be included with conference information that will be mailed soon. Innovative Approaches in Employee Selection will be presented by Peter Scontrino, Ph.D., of Scontrino and Associates. The course will examine a number of tools developed recently to assist managers in the selection of new employees. The tools include new types of testing formats as tests that have been validated and been shown to be instrumental in the selection of successful employees. Concurrently, Kathy Peck, a labor and employment attorney, will walk county officials through the legal "jungle" of Disciplinary Actions and Termination. Peck has concentrated her legal practice in the area of labor law with special emphasis on employment discrimination, supervisory training, and preventive labor relations. County officials will learn to take personnel actions that minimize the possibility of lawsuits; how to keep documentation; and, how to appropriately handle problems in the workplace. Attendance at any of the three courses will qualify for credit in WACO's County Officials Training and Certification Course (COTCC) through the University of Washington. ************************************** WIN AGAINST TERRORISM COURSE The Washington Military Department's Emergency Management Division is sponsoring a two-day "Win Against Terrorism" course on combating terrorism, September 20-21 at the National Guard Armory, in Moses Lake. The course for first responders and emergency managers is being conducted by Total Security Services International, Inc. (TSSI). TSSI specialized in counter- terrorism training and is recognized as one of the leaders in the field. Instructor qualifications include: Delta Force Officer, FBI Hostage Rescue Team and CIA Counter-Terrorism Center credentials. The emphasis is the prevention and response to terrorism and other acts of great violence such as we are seeing in schools and workplaces. Seats are limited to 45 and the initial allocation is one per jurisdiction, on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations must be in by September 15 to assure a seat. For further information, please contact Garrand Rosanne at (253) 512-7048 or Dave Hodgeboom at (253) 512-7051. ************************************** ALZHEIMER'S EVENTS ANNOUNCED A pair of Alzheimer's events has been announced. On Thursday, September 21 and Friday, September 22, there will a workshop on providing care to persons with dementia in boarding homes/assisted living care and in nursing homes. The workshop is sponsored by the Washington Association of Housing and Services for the Aging (WAHSA) and will take place at the Overlake Conference Center Annex, 121 107th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA, phone 425-688- 5000. For additional information, contact WAHSA at 206-248-7434. On Sunday, September 10, the Memory Walk 2000 will take place in Seward Park, Seattle. The Walk is sponsored by the Western and Central Washington State Chapters of the Alzheimer's Association. It is a 2.8-mile loop along the shores of Lake Washington with proceeds going toward services for those with Alzheimer's disease. For information call 1-800-231-1705. ************************************** CHILDREN'S HEALTH POLICY CONFERENCE PLANNED The 6th Annual Washington Children's Health Policy Conference is scheduled for September 26 at the Shoreline Conference Center. This year's conference is entitled "Policy and Action to Improve the Health of Children." It is co-sponsored by Children's Hospital, the University of Washington, the state Departments of Health and Social and Health Services, The Children's Alliance, the Health Coalition for Children and Youth, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the US Public Health Service, Region X. The keynote speaker will be Alan Weil, Director, Assessing the New Federalism, The Urban Institute, who will examine the national scene on children's health. The day's panels will include discussions on medicaid, school health, early childhood development, family support such as TANF, and financing health care. Included on the panel regarding early childhood development will be Bettie Ingham, WSAC President and Yakima County Commissioner. For additional information, please contact Children's Hospital - CME at 206-527-5701. ************************************** ECOLOGY OFFERS NONPOINT WATER POLLUTION CONFERENCE The third Statewide Nonpoint Water Pollution Conference is set for September 26-28 at the Everett Howard Johnson Plaza-Hotel. The program for the afternoon of September 26 includes the option of workshops on grants and loans and the new stormwater manual or field trips. The program for Wednesday and Thursday includes a variety of workshops and a nonpoint pollution film festival. Registration is $60 before September 1 and $75 after that date. The field trip cost is $10. The Howard Johnson Plaza-Hotel is offering a conference room rate of $59. ************************************** CASCADIA CONFERENCE Please join fellow Cascadians from Washington, Oregon and British Columbia at Discovery Institute's Cascadia Conference at the Eugene Hilton in Eugene, Oregon September 26-27. Topics will include transportation, the environment, livability, tourism and US/Canadian border issues. You can register online and view the most up to date conference schedule by pointing your internet browser to: http://www.discovery.org/comingEvents/eugeneConf/cscdinvite.html For more information call (206) 292-0401 ext. 106, or e-mail Teresa Gonzales at tg@discovery.org. ************************************** COMING EVENTS ************************************** August 28 Washington State Association of County Assessors' (WSACA) Annual Conference, Red Lion Hotel at the Quay, Vancouver. Through September 1. September 8 WSAC Legislative Steering Committee Meeting, Ellensburg Inn, Ellensburg. 10-13 International Association of Assessing Officers' (IAAO) Annual Conference, Edmonton, Canada. 13-15 Washington Finance Officers' Association (WFOA) Meeting, Shilo Inn, Ocean Shores. 28-29 WSAC Eastern District Meeting, Pullman. October 2-6 WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY OFFICIALS' ANNUAL CONFERENCE, WESTCOAST TRI-CITIES, KENNEWICK. ************************************** SEPTEMBER COUNTY CALENDAR ************************************** 4 Labor Day - Legal Holiday. RCW 1.16.050 4 By this date, the Department of Revenue must submit to each county assessor a preliminary indicated ratio for each county. RCW 84.48.075 5 County auditor is to submit the preliminary budget to the county legislative authority. RCW 36.40.050 (For alternate date on budget hearing, see RCW 36.40.071) 18 Up until this date, the Department of Revenue shall review the county's preliminary ratio with the county assessor, if requested by the assessor. RCW 84.48.075 18 After this date, the Department of Revenue shall certify to the county assessor the real and personal property ratio for the county. RCW 84.48.075 The county assessor has fifteen days after the date of certification to file an appeal. RCW 82.03.130 19 Nominating primaries shall be held where required for November general election. RCW 29.13.070 30 By this date, the Department of Revenue certifies its assessments of public utility operating properties to each county assessor. RCW 84.12.370 30 By this date, the Department of Revenue shall transmit to each county assessor a transcript specifying the amount to be levied for state purposes. RCW 84.48.110 30 Assessed valuations shall be certified by the county assessor, to taxing districts. RCW 84.48.130 S/O The Department of Revenue shall equalize the value of all property in the state and levy the state taxes authorized by law, sometime during the months of September and October. RCW 84.48.080 ************************************** COURTHOUSE RAMBLINGS ************************************** An initiative will show up on the General Election ballot in Whatcom County, November 7, to change the city of Blaine's name to Blaine Harbor. County Auditor Shirley Forslof certified the petition to put the name change on the ballot. The Blaine City Council passed a resolution in support of the initiative, this month. If the name change is approved by voters, it will the fourth name change in 125 years. Local Indian tribes called the city Semiahmoo until the area for platted as Concord in 1884. In 1885, staunch Republicans renamed the city to honor James C. Blaine, President James Garfield's Secretary of State and Republican nominee for president in 1884. He lost to Grover Cleveland. One local resident, who has been trying to get Blaine's name changed to the "City of Peace" for the last 20 years commented in disgust that he was thinking about writing a song called "The pain in Blaine lies mainly in its name." * * * * * About a week after it was discovered that two Washington residents were trying to sell their ballots on the popular auction website, eBay, a lost piece of Klickitat County's history was almost auctioned off for less than $300. A resident of Centerville, in mid-valley Klickitat County, found the county records on eBay, dating back to when the county seat was Rockland. Among the items listed for auction were county commissioner meeting minutes, auditor records, court dockets and death certificates, from 1876 to 1920. County officials were notified and let eBay and the seller know that the sale would violate state and federal law. The California resident who had listed the items, agreed to return them immediately to the county. He had bought the records 30 years ago, while he was a Goldendale resident and the courthouse in Goldendale was being remodeled. The records are extremely valuable, historically, and the State Archivist will ensure that a microfiche of the documents is made for storage in the state capital and the originals will most likely go to Klickitat County for display. ************************************** JOBS ************************************** DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE - GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY has an opening for the position of Director of Public Services. The Public Services Department includes the division of Public Works, Planning, Building, Fire Marshal, Environmental Health, Utilities and Development, and Facility Services. This is an exempt and contracted executive level position with a salary range for 2001 from $5883 to $7032 per mo. D.O.Q. A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Public or Business Administration and five (5) years of public sector experience at the management level or ten (10) years public sector experience at a management or executive level is required. A complete job description and qualifications are available at the County Commissioners Office in Montesano, WA. A WA State driver's license is required. A physical exam, drug test, hearing test, and copy of motor vehicle driving record will be required and a criminal background check may be required before employment approval. Grays Harbor County Is An Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications close September 18, 2000, at 5:00. Applications are to be obtained from and must be returned to Grays Harbor Commissioners, Attention Sandra Daniels, 100 West Broadway, Suite 1, Montesano, WA 98563, phone (360) 249-3731, Ext. 300. ****** APPRAISER I OR II - MASON COUNTY Assessor's Office, $2,025 - $2,344 (I) and $2,538 - $2,947 (II) per month. Minimum requirements: High School diploma or GED. Must successfully pass Fundamentals of the Assessor's Office, IAAO Residential Course I and Accreditation Exam. Valid WSDL. Appraiser II additional requires two years appraisal experience. Closes 9/5/00 at 5 p.m. Application required and can be obtained at Mason County Human Resources, 411 N. Fifth Street, Shelton, WA 98584; or call job line (360) 427-7265. ****** THE THURSTON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT is seeking two Personal Health Program Managers. The positions will administer either the Health Education/Health Promotion section or Client Services section of the Personal Health Division. The positions assist the Director of Public Health & Social Services in developing, managing and implementing annual and long-range programs to accomplish departmental goals and policies. Collaborates with individuals, agencies and institutions in the community to improve public health. The salary ranges from $4004 to $5338 per month, plus comprehensive benefits. Requires BS degree in public health, nursing, environmental studies, nutrition, health education or related field plus four years of experience in public health management, including experience in community mobilization, nursing, health education, nutrition or clinical service delivery, with at least two years at the supervisory level. A combination of education and experience can be substituted for the above requirement. Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate successful management experience in Public Health. Resumes may be used to supplement an application, but may not be used in lieu of completing the application form and supplemental questionnaire. Call 360-754-3800 to request an application and supplemental questionnaire. **** END ****