"NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 43.09 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By January 1, 2011, the state auditor shall conduct a performance audit of any county with a population of one million five hundred thousand or more to specifically determine whether policy changes and programs the county has adopted since January 1, 2009, will effectively reduce overhead and other costs, improve services, and streamline operations. The performance audit must identify current deficiencies in recognized best practices in the provision of county goods and services and how the provision of these goods and services could be provided more efficiently and effectively. As part of the performance audit, the auditor shall also evaluate the amount of local and regional services provided by the county within and outside city limits and contrast this with other large counties in Washington and with counties of similar size in other states. The state auditor shall use money distributed to the auditor under RCW 82.08.020(5) to pay for the performance audit required under this section.
     (2) This section expires January 1, 2012."