News and Insights
Knowing the Waters – “Best Practices” for Use of Executive Sessions Allowed Under the OPMA
By Frank Chmelik of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis P.S. – August 2019 This month’s focus is on the “best practices” for use of executive sessions allowed under the Open Public Meetings Act (“OPMA”). There is an important change in law related to the discussion of real estate matters [...]
Knowing the Waters – Changes to the Port District “Economic Development” Statute
By Frank Chmelik of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis P.S. – July 2019 This month’s column focuses on a change to RCW 53.08.245 – the port district “economic development” statute – that expands the ability of port districts to provide workforce development. Since 1911, the legislature has looked to [...]
Knowing the Waters – Real Property Taxes, Real Property Tax Exemptions, Leasehold Excise Tax and Leasehold Excise Tax Exemptions
By Frank Chmelik of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis P.S. – June 2019 The mix of port district tenants is shifting from primarily industrial or commercial uses to a much wider range of uses. So, this month we look at real property taxes, real property tax exemptions, leasehold excise [...]
Knowing the Waters – Political Campaigns
By Frank Chmelik of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis P.S. – May 2019 It is an odd numbered year which means two things – a pink salmon run will occur this summer and this is the “election season” for ports and many other local governments. There were a lot [...]