Background: The authority for the creation of unincorporated area councils (UAC) is by order of the King County Executive in 1994. There are currently six UACs recognized by the King County Council. They are organized as nonprofit corporations.

The Executive Order directs governmental departments in King County to seek advice and comment from UACs regarding policies, county programs, citizen appointments to advisory committees, community plans, subarea plans, and other plans and issues specifically affecting the citizens within the geographic boundary of the UAC. All departments must, to the best of their ability, respond to the requests of the UACs for notice and information regarding policies, county programs, citizen appointments to advisory committees, community plans, subarea plans, and other plans and issues affecting the citizens living within the geographic boundary of the UAC.

UAC membership must be open to any person who lives within the recognized boundaries of the UAC. These boundaries should correspond to and respect existing community identities.

The UAC must maintain a complete and up-to-date set of bylaws at a public location designated by King County. Each UAC must, in its bylaws, provide for a public and democratic process for voting and choosing its officers and board members. Each UAC sets forth meeting requirements for the membership in the bylaws and abides by the Washington State Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30.010) relative to public meetings and public records.

In contrast, the statutory authority for community councils for unincorporated areas applies to counties with populations exceeding 30,000 composed entirely of islands. Their purpose is to serve as forums for the discussion of local issues, especially growth management and zoning issues. At this time, the only qualifying county is Island County.

Statutory community councils are created by the filing of a petition of at least 10 percent of the voters, with the county legislative authority holding public hearings, calling a special election within the community to determine whether the council is created, and to elect initial community council members at the next state general election. Creation of the community council requires approval by a simple majority vote.

Community council members are elected according to general election laws for four-year staggered terms at nonpartisan elections. The county provides administrative and staff support for each community council.

There are currently no statutory community councils in Island County.

The Public Records Act (PRA) applies to state agencies and local agencies. Local agencies are cities, counties, towns, municipal corporations, quasi-municipal corporations, special purpose districts, or any office, department, division, bureau, board, commission, or agency thereof, or other local public agency.