Strategic Plan Goal 1: Increase Membership Participation and Demonstrate the Unique Value of WACO to Members

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1 Communi cat i onsrepor t2018 Pr epar edbyti mot hygr i sham

2 The 2014 plenary session identified legislation, education, and communications as WACO s priority areas. These areas are expanded on in the current strategic plan and accompanying work plan. This report outlines the work that WACO staff has conducted since the last communications report in alignment with the Strategic Plan and its work plan. Since adopting the 2015 Communications Plan, WACO has made big strides in branding. By setting publication standards in design, maintaining correspondence templates, implementing process checks and balances, and keeping consistent online logo and branding usage WACO has increased the quality and consistency in all WACO communications. Every analytic benchmark to measure audience growth set in the initial communications plan has been met or greatly exceeded. The growth in website traffic, social media interaction, Courthouse Journal (CHJ) readership, and more has been sustainable while outpacing the initial three year performance goals. In addition to an analytic approach to measuring audience, WACO has found increased success in interacting with key newspaper and radio markets when releasing information. WACO has gathered a list of over 375 statewide and regional media outlets to provide information to and interact in follow up contacts and media calls. This has led to media coverage on topics ranging from the annual County Scholarship Fund awards to legislative specific topics such as levy lid lifts, the elimination of anticipated taxes and assessments, and more. The Strategic Plan and its work plan informs WACO s communication model. However, WACO has consistently added to its model to remain relevant, up-to-date and using best practices to increase its ability to communicate with diverse audiences in a meaningful manner. Strategic Plan Goal 1: Increase Membership Participation and Demonstrate the Unique Value of WACO to Members Objective D. Maintain the Courthouse Journal : The Courthouse Journal (CHJ) was revived in 2015, and has been revamped numerous times during the course of the subsequent three years. In the first two years the CHJ s trackable readership kept pace with conference registration at 33% and 34% respectively. In 2017 after making some backend delivery system changes the readership began to outpace conference registration with 36% of the membership representing trackable readers. Thus far in 2018 the CHJ is on pace to outpace conference registration more significantly for the first time with 41% trackable readers. With a high of 46% of the membership opening and reading a CHJ mailing, the work of eliminating tech barriers, an increase in stories that illustrate good news/personal accomplishments/retirements, and a large increase of education resource sharing, points toward positive growth. Strategic Plan Goal 3: Increase Awareness about County Officials and Their Functions Objective A. Develop materials to effectively describe the work of county officials and county services. 1. Identify potential opportunities that tell the story: Twitter has proven to be an effective delivery service to speak not only of the work that WACO is providing to its members and their communities, but to share the stories of your offices to diverse audiences. This year we have seen significant growth in who we are reaching, with a 47% increase in average monthly impressions (reach). Seizing on the opportunity

3 during National County Government Month in April, WACO expensively shared infographic, text based, and video information about the roles of your offices, county services, and county facts. Additionally, we increased our shares of other materials produced that do the same. During this period we had increased our reach by 207% during the same time in In March 2017 WACO released the ninth edition of Washington County Government. Washington County Government, first published in 1979, is an extensive guide to the roles of elected officials and their offices; the popular booklet had not been revised in over a decade. In conjunction with the new edition of Washington County Government, WACO launched a new webpage ( that contains information on each affiliate, as well as a download of the booklet, and affiliate specific info-graphics as a resource for the purposes of online campaigns. Additionally, WACO launched a video and online campaign Know Your County Officials detailing the work of elected county officials. The campaign launched during National County Government Month (April), and saw the highest response/impression rates on both social media and viewership analytics. On May 16, 2018 WACO partnered with Evergreen State College to host County Government and You panel during the college s annual mentoring day. The panel consisted of Pierce County Assessor/Treasurer Mike Lonergan, Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall, Thurston County Treasurer Jeff Gadman, and WACO Communications Director (and TESC Alumnus) Timothy Grisham. The panelists discussed their journey in public service, dispelled myths about public service, offered tips and advice on how to enter service, and provided an overview of their current roles in public service. The event is currently being planned to be an annual event, with expansions to other institutions. WACO launched its newest Know Your County Official video, The County Assessor, on June 4, 2018 ( The video was created in collaboration with the county assessors and features Pierce County Assessor/Treasure Mike Lonergan and his office s assessor staff explaining the roles and functions of the office of the County Assessor. 2. Develop key messages for radio and newspaper communications and social media: WACO currently manages a list of over 375 print, radio, and television media contacts that it provides key messages to for publication and commentary consideration. In 2018, each press release to date has picked up media coverage. The range of press releases has covered incoming members to the board, legislative priorities, and more. Additionally, WACO staff was able to secure Op-Ed coverage regarding separation of duties and the roles of the independently elected Clerk, and subsequent positive media coverage in the wake of issues arising out of the Franklin County courts fight.

4 Educat i onrepor t2018 Pr epar edbyjer r ypet t i t

5 I want to thank the members of the WACO Education Committee for their hard work, dedication and participation over the past year. In 2018 the Committee had to plan not only the 60 th Annual Washington Association of County Officials Conference, but also the Newly Elected Officials Conference. The Committee was relied upon more than in many past years to carry this heavy load. We also saw some new members join the Committee in 2018, as others rotated out as a result of assignments within their affiliates. The Education Committee is: Mary Engle (Island County Assessor), Jeanne Youngquist (Skagit County Auditor), Tristen Worthen (Douglas County Clerk), Craig Morrison (Grant County Coroner), Adam Kick (Skamania County Prosecutor), Peggy Semprimoznik (Lincoln County Clerk), and Wanda Grone (Island County Treasurer). The Committee met on the first Tuesday of every month. The responsibilities of the Committee members are quite demanding. They work to assure that training that WACO is offering is not redundant of what their affiliate is offering, work with the members of their affiliate to determine their training needs and desires of the affiliate, and bring those back to the Committee to plan the training endeavors for the coming year. The planning for the 2018 Conference was challenging because the Committee addressed the perennial concern that the Annual Conference was too long, and that members wanted more opportunity to meet and network with the other affiliates. The Committee started with a blank page and built the agenda around the mandatory events, WACO Business Meeting(s), and prioritized the balance of the agenda according to the preferences of the members represented by and through their colleagues on the Committee. The affiliates have time available to them before, during and after the formal conference, as well as considerable time to meet with their fellow affiliates on issues and concerns of common interest. The Committee picked the keynote speaker and the topics for training. The Committee also addressed the training topics and agenda for the Newly Elected Officer training in December. The 2018 version is closely aligned to that offered in 2014 in scope and duration. In addition to conference planning, the Education Committee provided direction for three education webinars hosted during the spring of The spring webinars were viewed by over 180 members. These webinars are an addition to the existing set of videos WACO has produced which received 680 completed plays in the past year.

6 Legi sl at i verepor t2018 Pr epar edbydi annedor ey

7 As Chair, I want to first extend my sincere thanks to the members of the 2018 Legislative Committee: Terry McLaughlin, Cowlitz County Assessor Julie Anderson, Pierce County Auditor Charles Ross, Yakima County Auditor Josie Delvin, Benton County Clerk Tim Fitzgerald, Spokane County Clerk Warren McLeod, Lewis County Coroner Greg Sandstrom, Kitsap County Coroner John Snaza, Thurston County Sheriff James Nagle, Walla Walla County Prosecutor Arny Davis, Lewis County Treasurer It was a fast-paced session with a record number of bills. Each week WACO provided (through our vendor LobbyGov) an affiliate specific report to each Legislative Committee member. The Legislative Committee member made the determination on frequency, delivery, and data needs that go into the report in order to fit that individual affiliate's needs. The Legislative Committee member then was able to take the Excel sheet and easily short or use the data to their needs and further disbursement to the affiliate members. Additionally, once a week, WACO provided a data report containing data for ALL affiliates to the Legislative Committee for data sorting and disbursement to their affiliate members based on their affiliate needs. Finally, each Friday during the session WACO sent out a narrative report to the entire membership titled the Legislative Hotsheet. This report detailed priority bill progress, bills of note, impacts to counties, topical news on the session, and legislative education pieces as they arose. This report was coupled with a webinar update for members to view and ask questions. WACO hosted WACO DAY ON THE HILL on January 24, The day started with a brief summary of the status of our WACO bills, and coaching on how to market our legislation. Additionally, there were several legislative advocacy teams across the campus meeting with key legislators to discuss the 2018 legislative priorities. In addition to discussing WACO s legislative priorities, we raised legislator awareness about how little of the tax dollars collected by the counties actually stay with them as well as the services that you provide for which you don t receive any support. At the end of he session, part of the budget deal to address the McCleary court case regarding K-12 funding was to roll back the 2019 property tax from $2.70 per $1,000 assessed value to $2.40. Defeating this was a hard fought and important victory for us. Our assessors, treasurers, and WACO staff spent weeks fighting off an original proposal that would target the 2018 property tax collections retroactively. The proposal would have had both constitutional implications, as well as crippled assessors and treasurers offices. Unfortunately, in a short session with a record number of bills introduced, time just rant out on a number of bills, even those receiving no opposition. WACO was able to push two bills all the way to the Governor s desk. County Auditors SB 6058 Concerning Write-in Elections County Prosecutors HB 2700 Concerning the Handling of Child Forensic Interview and Child Interview Digital Records

8 Additionally, one of our 2017 priority bills, HB 1209 (Treasurers' credit union bill) passed, giving counties more options for financial transactions. The other six priority proposals all saw steady advancement through the process until the end. Several, such as the Coroners subpoena bill and the two Treasurer bills, died while on the floor calendar prior to a vote. The two Treasurer bills were especially close, as neither had received a negative vote in the house of origin (Senate). Preparations for the 2019 Session In June, WACO hired a new Deputy Director who will lead WACO s Legislative Relations along with continued expertise and contract lobbying from Michael Shaw. In addition, WACO has secured a contract with David Foster, well known for his lobbying work with counties and related organizations, for further lobbying support during the session. In addition to ramping up for the 2019 session, our new Deputy Director, Jennifer Wallace, presented to the WACO Board in July and has vetted with Affiliate Presidents and Legislative Committee Members a new Legislative Action Plan that puts enhanced emphasis on interim activities and legislative relations building and offers new staff services related to Legislative Training, Technical Assistance and Direct Advocacy. Whether or not an affiliate has priority bills for the upcoming session, staff can work to strengthen legislator understanding of policy issues of priority or concern, strengthening the foundation for success on current and future policy proposals. As of the date of this memo, WACO is gathering materials related to each affiliates proposed priority bills for review and potential approval by the full membership at the WACO Annual Conference. The 2019 Legislative Committee will be chaired by Kittitas County Auditor Jerry Petit, with membership reflecting the newly-elected legislative chairs from each affiliates association. The 2019 session promises some familiar policy issues good and bad including more action related to McCleary and the Lienholder bill and some new issues, like salmon culverts and homelessness, that may dominate time and funding. The Legislative Committee encourages all WACO members to take advantage of opportunities to learn about and participate in legislative-related activities, including: Inviting WACO staff to present training on legislative relations at one of your conferences Indicate interest to your affiliate President and Legislative Chair in being available to meet with legislators and testify on bills as needed Follow status of bills of relevance updated daily on the WACO website during session Talk to the WACO Deputy Director, Jennifer Wallace, about the full range of legislative-relations services available to affiliate members, including technical assistance and written advocacy and information materials.

9 Fi nancerepor t2018 Pr epar edbyli sagancel

10 Washington Association of County Officials Statement of Revenues and Expenditures YTD 1/1/2017 Thru 12/31/ YTD Actual 2017 Total Budget 2017 YTD Budget Variance Revenue Members Assessments $693,762 $699,180 -$5,418 Contracts $3,222 $5,460 -$2,238 Conferences $65,725 $62,500 $3,225 Non-Conferences Education $6,000 $3,000 $3,000 Rental Receipts $25,555 $25,555 $0 Miscellaneous $5,754 $1,250 $4,504 Total Revenue $800,018 $796,945 $3,073 Expense Salaries, Taxes, Benefits $476,533 $475,721 -$813 Conferences $59,974 $57,780 -$2,194 Non-Conference Education $10,246 $8,700 -$1,546 Professional Fees $44,221 $8,500 -$35,721 Legislative Advocacy $82,100 $73,500 -$8,600 Operations - General $93,497 $92,718 -$779 Operations - Communications $16,880 $11,600 -$5,280 Operations - Insurance $4,228 $5,000 $773 Operations - Travel $20,439 $55,200 $34,761 Operations - Memberships & Subscriptions $5,019 $5,325 $306 Office Space - Capital Imprv/Purch/Deprec $4,378 $0 -$4,378 Building - Partnership Gain/Loss $7,194 $0 -$7,194 Total Expense $824,708 $794,044 -$30,664 Excess (Deficit) -$24,690 $2,901 -$27,591 Page: 1

11 Washington Association of County Officials Statement of Revenues and Expenditures YTD 1/1/2018 Thru 8/31/ YTD Actual thru 8/31/ Total Budget 2018 YTD Budget Variance Fund Balance Carryover Unrestricted Funds Carryover $0 $21,000 -$21,000 Total Fund Balance Carryover Unrestricted $0 $21,000 -$21,000 Revenue Members Assessments $546,911 $704,170 -$157,258 Contracts $1,290 $1,560 -$270 Conferences $0 $94,550 -$94,550 Rental Receipts $17,037 $25,555 -$8,518 Miscellaneous $7,604 $3,300 $4,304 Total Revenue $572,842 $829,135 -$256,293 Expense Salaries, Taxes, Benefits $302,131 $500,209 $198,078 Conferences $2,900 $78,577 $75,677 Non-Conference Education $355 $0 -$355 Professional Fees $19,995 $16,700 -$3,295 Legislative Advocacy $51,519 $77,000 $25,481 Operations - General $62,609 $93,900 $31,291 Operations - Communications $10,068 $16,135 $6,067 Operations - Insurance $3,212 $5,000 $1,788 Operations - Travel $30,319 $57,200 $26,881 Operations - Memberships & Subscriptions $4,802 $4,750 -$52 Total Expense $487,910 $849,472 $361,562 Excess (Deficit) $84,932 $663 $84,269 Page: 2

12 2019 Budget As approved by the WACO Board 7/11/2018 REVENUE Fund Carryover $32,600 Members Cost Allocations Membership Income - County Reimbursements $929,597 WAPA Cost Allocations Pass Through -$225,427 WACO Members' Assessments / Allotments $704,170 Contracts DSHS $1,800 Contract - Misc $900 Contracts $2,700 Conferences / Education Annual Conferences Annual Conf Registration Rev - Attendee $43,750 Annual Conf Registration Rev - Exhibitor $19,800 Annual Conf Registration Rev - Sponsorships $12,200 Summer Ed / Training - Sponsors $0 Conferences / Education $75,750 Rental Rental Income - WAPA $26,455 Rental Receipts $26,455 Miscellaneous Interest Income $9,403 Miscellaneous Income $1,800 Miscellaneous $11,203 EXPENSES Total Revenue $852,878 Salaries / Taxes / Benefits Salaries Executive Director $131,584 Deputy Director $92,890 Communications Director $81,357 Finance / Administrative Manager $63,929 Subtotal Salaries $369,760 Taxes / Benefits Accrued Vacation at Year End $1,000 Employee Medical Insurances $77,961 Employee Payroll Benefits - Retirement $27,807 Payroll Taxes $29,179 Subtotal Taxes / Benefits $135,947 Salaries / Taxes / Benefits $505,707 Page 1 of 2 Rev 9/10/2018

13 2019 Budget As approved by the WACO Board 7/11/2018 Conferences Annual Conference Facility / Equip Rental $18,000 Food / Catering / Banquet $40,000 Outgoing President's Reception $5,500 Facilitators / Speakers / Trainers $10,000 Registration / Processing Fees $2,250 Printing / Supplies / Staff Lodging / Misc $5,000 Summer Ed / Training - Members $0 Awards & Recognition $1,500 Conference / Education $82,250 Professional Fees Accounting / Auditing / PR Annual Independent Audit / YE 990 Prep $7, k Financial Mgmt Fees $2,300 W2 / 1099 Processing $250 Professional Fees - Other $0 Professional Fees $9,550 Legislative Advocacy Contract - Legislative / Advocacy $66,000 Legislative Session Support - WACO Day on the Hill $3,500 Legislative Outreach $0 Legislative Session Support / Admin $16,000 Legislative Advocacy $85,500 Operations Office Overhead Office Software / Renewals $4,345 Postage & UPS $250 Supplies/Printing $2,825 Office Lease $81,000 Equipment Rental & Maint $7,879 Property Taxes $300 Fees - Bank / CC Processing / Penalty / Paypal $780 Licenses and Permits $20 Miscellaneous $0 Insurance - WACO $5,000 Telephone $3,372 Memberships / Subscriptions $6,730 Technology / Communications $8,149 Travel Expense - Board $30,000 Travel Expenses - Staff (Contg Ed / Training / Travel) $19,200 Operations $169,850 Total Expenses $852,857 PROFIT / DEFICIT $21 Page 2 of 2 Rev 9/10/2018