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Hinkle elected chair of
Municipal Research Council
Rep.
Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, has been elected chair of the Municipal
Research Council (MRC) for the next two years. Hinkle, who served a one
of two state representatives on the council the past two years, has now
been elected by his colleagues to lead the organization.
“I’m honored that my colleagues have placed their confidence and trust
in me to lead this organization,” said Hinkle. “My background is in
local government, and I know how tight resources can be and how much
these folks are still asked to do. I look forward to chairing this group
and making sure local governments continue to get the information and
resources they need to do the best job possible.”
The MRC helps local governments access research, legal and other
services they often need but can’t afford on their own. MRC contracts
with a not-for-profit organization called the Municipal Research &
Services Center to provide a myriad of resources to the state’s 281
cities and towns and 39 counties, including expertise in budgeting and
finance, municipal law, public management and administration, planning
and growth management, public works and utilities, and local government
policies. The program is primarily funded from a portion of the cities’
and counties’ distribution of liquor profits and the state liquor excise
tax.
Hinkle has held several local government positions, including serving as
Kittitas County Commissioner from 1996 through 2002 and serving on the
Kittitas County Planning Commission.
Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, is the MRC’s most recent
chair and is confident Hinkle is a good fit for the job.
“Representative Hinkle will do an outstanding job as chair of the
Council,” said Haugen. “His background in local government is perfect,
and will help him understand what these communities need. It’s also
excellent that he’s from Eastern Washington. Those communities in
particular have been hit by revenue reductions, and they need these
services more than ever. Representative Hinkle will make sure they get
them.”
In his role as chair, Hinkle will convene and run the MRC meetings and
oversee the flow of services to local governments. He will also work
side-by-side with the Council’s 13 other members. Judith Boekholder,
Toppenish City Council member, will continue to serve as the council’s
vice chair.
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For more information, contact:
John Handy, Assistant
Communications Director - (360) 786-5758
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