1. Interlocal Agreements

2. What is an Interlocal Agreement (ILA)?
RCW Washington’s Interlocal Cooperation Act
Authorizes public agencies to enter into contract with other public agencies that enable cooperation among the agencies to perform governmental activities and deliver public services.
Allows for joint or cooperative action that is within the separate authority of each agency.
Allows the creation of non-profit corporations to carry out these ends.
ILAs must be authorized by the governing bodies of the partner agencies by resolution or ordinance or otherwise pursuant to local law, and filed with the county auditor. (RCW , RCW )

3. Washington State Interlocal Cooperation Act Declaration of Purpose
“It is the purpose of this chapter to permit local governmental units to make the most efficient use of their powers by enabling them to cooperate with other localities on a basis of mutual advantage and thereby to provide services and facilities in a manner and pursuant to forms of governmental organization that will accord best with geographic, economic, population and other factors influencing the needs and development of local communities.” RCW

4. Examples of Pierce County Interlocal Agreements
Law Enforcement, Fire Protection, Courts
Public Health Services
Public Works and Solid Waste Disposal
Telecommunications
Animal Services
Parks and Trails Management

5. Benefits of an Interlocal Agreement
Cost savings from pooled resources
Facilities
Equipment
Training
Personnel
Purchasing power
A joint board created by an ILA may accept grants or loans to accomplish the purposes of the agreement.
Fixed or definable costs for period of agreement
Public perception of unity

6. Drawbacks of an Interlocal Agreement
Confusion to the public about who is providing the services to them, and with whom to lodge a complaint
Fear of losing control or loss of local values
Limited remedies when disputes or unforeseen circumstances arrive
Poorly negotiated or unfavorable terms

7. Recording or Filing of Interlocal Agreements
RCW Methods of filing agreements—Status of interstate agreements—Real party in interest—Actions.
Prior to its entry into force, an agreement made pursuant to this chapter shall be filed with the county auditor or, alternatively, listed by subject on a public agency's web site or other electronically retrievable public source. In the event that an agreement entered into pursuant to this chapter is between or among one or more public agencies of this state and one or more public agencies of another state or of the United States the agreement shall have the status of an interstate compact, but in any case or controversy involving performance or interpretation thereof or liability thereunder, the public agencies party thereto shall be real parties in interest and the state may maintain an action to recoup or otherwise make itself whole for any damages or liability which it may incur by reason of being joined as a party therein. Such action shall be maintainable against any public agency or agencies whose default, failure of performance, or other conduct caused or contributed to the incurring of damage or liability by the state.

8. King County recording of ILAs

9. Pierce County Interlocal Agreements have created:
City-County Law Enforcement Support Agency (LESA)
Tacoma Pierce County Family Justice Center
Zoo and Trek Authority
Puget Sound Regional Council
Pierce County Regional Council
Public Facilities District

10. Pierce County Interlocal Agreements have created:
Combined Communications Network
South Sound 911
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
Rainier Communications Commission

11. Rainier Communications Commission – Case Study
Established 1992 as a joint advisory commission on matters relating to telecommunication for Pierce County and many of the cities and towns in the county. R Currently includes Pierce County and nine municipalities. Tacoma changed its status in 2003 to non- funding and non-voting, as they established their own internal cable and telecom administration.
Provides members with advisory, legal and television production services.

12. Rainier Communications Commission – Case Study
Adopted a Regional Media Center Participation Resolution, which created the vehicle for member jurisdictions to jointly fund and operate a center for government and education television on the campus of Clover Park Technical College. R97-112
Annual fees of membership are .5% of the cable television franchisee’s gross revenues.
R Exhibit A states that upon appropriation of the fund by the Pierce County Council, expenditures shall be made from the Fund for the programs, services and activities as authorized by the agreement. Pierce County will maintain appropriate records supporting the costs incurred by Pierce County which are to be reimbursed from the Fund.

13. PEG CONTRIBUTIONS Jurisdiction PEG Contribution
% of total (unadjusted)
% of total (adjusted)
% Covered Cable Subscribers
% of Commissioners
Steilacoom
$          0.00
 0.0  0  1
16.6
Dupont
$  9,100.00
 2.3  2
Puyallup
$ 32,400.00
 8.2 10  8
Pierce County
$308,500.00
78.0 70 75
33.33
University Place
$26,500.00
 6.0  7

14. RCC MEMBERSHIP