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HomeMy WebLinkAbout032423 FW_ Friday 5 _ Public Safety _ Fentanyl _ ARPA _ Branding ________________________________ From: Washington Counties | WSAC Sent: Friday, March 24, 2023 10:00:24 AM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: Greg Brotherton Subject: Friday 5 | Public Safety | Fentanyl | ARPA | Branding ________________________________ ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. ________________________________ This week's wrap up of county news. March 24, 2023 <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a/images/cf04e6fd-150d-4420-a926-ee7a36f2d944.png> COUNTY NEWS Commissioner Rob Gelder Announces He is Stepping Down From His Elected Position Earlier this week, Commissioner Rob Gelder announced he is stepping down from his elected position as Kitsap County Commissioner representing North Kitsap. Following is a statement he released to Kitsap County elected officials, directors, and staff: Having just celebrated 12 years of service to the residents of Kitsap County, it is bittersweet to share the news that I will be stepping down as County Commissioner effective May 23, 2023. I truly love public service, especially at the local and county level. I had an opportunity presented to me that will afford me the chance to work with a team, to still support policy development, and to do a deeper dive into how certain services are provided to the community. That role will be as the Assistant County Manager for Thurston County. In that role, I will be focusing on six key areas: public works, public defense, pre-trial services, health and human services, emergency services, and community planning/economic development. Learn More <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=0acaeac55c&e=03d5c964a3> <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=c48218d2b5&e=03d5c964a3> STATE NEWS Want to Cut Crime in WA and Hire More Cops? There’s a Way — But It Won’t Be Easy Last month, the ACLU filed suit against King County over conditions in its downtown Seattle jail, alleging that chronic understaffing has created unsafe conditions for inmates. This is the most dramatic example yet of the crisis in our county-run criminal justice system. Jails, courts, prosecutors, public defenders, and sheriff’s departments are all underfunded and understaffed, in large part due to limitations on county revenues. When you don’t have enough cops, prosecutors, and corrections officers, it is difficult to keep communities safe. Unfortunately, it is unclear if the legislature will address this crisis. Learn More <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=a0a7a86344&e=03d5c964a3> COUNTY NEWS Fentanyl Drives Worsening Trend of Overdoses, Deaths, Thurston County Officials Say Overdose deaths are occurring more frequently than in past years, Thurston County officials told the Board of Health last week, and they are blaming an influx of fentanyl. The number of overdose deaths reached 153 in 2022, Coroner Gary Warnock told the board. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that’s 50-100 times stronger than morphine, accounted for 114 of those deaths, he said. Learn More <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=dc633e10ab&e=03d5c964a3> COUNTY NEWS Auditors Flag Half of Washington Counties Over COVID-19 Aid Local officials emphasized that most audits revealed relatively minor procedural oversights, while misuse or fraud remained rare. State auditors acknowledged local agencies had faced many new challenges in administering unprecedented federal aid, but stressed that detailed monitoring helped guard against abuse. Eric Johnson, Executive Director of the Washington State Association of Counties, said some federal programs, like the Coronavirus Relief Fund, sent hundreds of millions of dollars to local agencies with vague guidance and just months to spend the money. “It was really a time crunch,” he said, adding, “There’s a lot of technicality in some of these [audit] findings that we would argue were pretty bureaucratic.” Johnson said local officials had a hard time getting clarifications on how they should use and document federal spending. The U.S. Department of Treasury would not always provide timely technical assistance on grant spending, and the State Auditor’s Office cannot give direct advice because it would undermine an independent audit. Learn More <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=6718c46a2c&e=03d5c964a3> <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=39d09ac205&e=03d5c964a3> COUNTY NEWS Protecting Your Local Brand: Federal, State, and Local Strategies Having a trademark can be an excellent tool for protecting against unwanted association and providing effective branding. Branding can provide an effective means for counties, towns, and cities to attract residents and businesses that will promote growth, revitalization, and civic pride. 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