HomeMy WebLinkAboutAssociation of WA Cities1076 Franktin Street SE . Otympia, WA9850'l'1146ciTiEs
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August 30, 2017
Patrick Downie, Mayor
City of Port Angeles
321 E sth St
Port Angeles,WA 98362-3206
RE: 2018 AWC membership fees
Dear Mayor Downie,
AWC is here to work for you, your council and staff, and all cities and towns in the state. We work with the
Legislature, executive branch, regulatory agencies, and partner groups and associations to ensure they
understand our great state is only as strong as its 281 cities and towns.
Cities and towns are stronger when working together. Your ongoing AWC membership allows us to
advocate for your needs - and the needs of all cities and towns - with a single, unified voice.
With your ongoing membership, AWC continues to provide you with advocacy, education, and services. Your
investment in a strong organization provides unparalleled value. For 2018, AWC membership lee rates will
reflect a modest increase of 2.29"/", equal to the rate of increase in the state and local government component
of the lmplicit Price Deflator (lPD). Consistent with longstanding AWC Board policy, the IPD is the index used
for the computation of rate adjustments. The rate, coupled with your city's population (according to the most
recent OFM data), results in a 2018 membership fee of $12,574. This is simply a notice for budgetary
purposes. You will receive an invoice in December.
I also want to let you know that the AWC Board of Directors established a six-member Ad-Hoc Member Fees
Committee that has been examining our current fee structure with an eye toward addressing some inequities. I
do not expect Board action this {all will affect dues for the 2018 year; however, I wanted you to be aware of this
ongoing conversation about maintaining a strong Iinancial foundation and operating sustainably.
Our focus on maintaining a strong relationship with state decision-makers is complementary to our long-
standing commitment to provide superior education, resources, and programs to you and all our members.. Popular AWC conferences like Annual Conference, City Action Days, Labor Relations lnstitute, and
Member Expo provide valuable technical hands-on and leadership content.o the AWC GIS Consorlium, our newest member program, helps cities leverage greater buying power and
increase capacity to utilize GIS technology to build smarter cities.. All member cities and towns can participate in any ol AWC's Member Pooling Programs to access quality
benefits and services with a particular focus on cost savings, member service, and loss control. These
programs include the AWC Employee Benefit Trust, AWC Bisk Management Service Agency (RMSA),
AWC Workers'Comp Retro Program, and lhe AWC Drug & Alcohol Consoftium.
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360.753.4137 . 800. 562.8981
It is an honor to serve as your AWC Chief Executive Officer. Working together with the AWC Board of
Directors, staff, and every city and town in the state of Washington, we can and are making progress to ensure
that all cities and towns stay strong.
lf you have any questions about 2018 fees or AWC services, please feel free to contact me directly at
peterk @ awcnet.org or 360.753.4137.
Sincerely,
/^dtn
Peter B. King, CEO
Association of Washington Cities
cc:Therese Agesson, Sr. AccountanyActing Director of Finance
During the 2017 legislative session, the need for legislators to finally address K-12 funding gaps dwarfed most
other issues and at times, it was unclear how cities would fare until the very end. After a record-breaking 193
days and three special legislative sessions, we are pleased that city needs were mostly addressed. I want to
share a lew of our successes.o Modernizing the Public Records Act. After several years of negotiations, a core group of commifted
legislators advanced AWC's priority legislation to modernize the Public Records Act in light of changing
technology.. Passing the state's Marketplace Fairness Act. City revenues will increase as a result of sales tax on
internet purchases lrom out-of-state retailers to compliment taxes already collected on in-state retailers.. Maintaining critical state-shared revenues. After years of threatened reductions, the Legislature's operating
budget retained $210 million in state-shared revenues historically distributed to cities and towns.
Ultimately and unfortunately, legislators left town without adopting a capital budget. Quiet conversations
continue, and we remain involved to advocate on behalf of your interests. Additionally, we have already begun
working to address your needs in the upcoming "short" 60-day session in 2018. While, in theory, a short
session is meant to linetune the state's budget and address some policy issues, we know that 2018 will be
unique in the wake ol significant K-l2 f inancing measures.