WA Clerk Communique' :: BIAS Accounting Inc

Changing the Tax Status of
Employees' PERS Contribution

Municipalities can change the taxable status of employee contributions to PERS. It requires two steps.

First the city or town council must approve the change from a post-tax to a pre-tax PERS deduction or vice-versa.

The second step is to send a letter to:

Debbie Callar
Employer Support Services
WA Department of Retirement Systems
PO Box 48380
Olympia, WA 98504-8380
360-664-7167

This letter should indicate that the city or town wants to change the PERS employee contribution from post-tax to pre-tax, (or vice-versa.) The letter should be signed by the Mayor or council member and should also include a contact person for confirmation of the change. The state wants at least a week's advance notice.

David's Notes from the
WMTA Conference in Chelan:

Utility Shut Off and the Law

Attorney, Deborah Crabbe, from the law firm of Foster Pepper, PLLC, discussed utility payment collection issues. Here were the highlights:

Municipalities should make sure they give residents sufficient information on their bills and notices to ensure due process for customers, especially if you need to shut off service. She recommends that -

All Bills Should Clearly State:

The bill date and due date.
The policy for how payments will be applied. (For BIAS users, payments are applied to garbage first, then sewer, and finally water.)
How many days after the due date that bills become delinquent (10 days is average, but there is no definitive statutory notice.)
The policy for when water is shut-off after account becomes delinquent, (30 Days is the average.)
The methodology for computing late charges and penalties.

Late Notices Should Clearly State:

Describe the process and time-frame for shut-off if payment is not made.
Describe in plain language the rights for customers to object to shut-off actions.
Include a telephone number and contact person for the municipality.
The municipality has the right to turn over the account to a collection agency and that the customer will be responsible for additional costs associated with collection.

You can pre-print much of the information above on the back of utility bills and statements.

Obviously, we are not attorneys, and you should consult your attorney to draft or review your language on bills and notices. There may be additional items you want to include.