Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Local Government Committee

HB 2157

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background:

In 2005 elected flood control zone district supervisors were authorized to receive a per diem compensation at a rate of $70 per day for attending official meetings and conducting supervision duties. Compensation may not exceed $6,720 for one calendar year. This rate has not been adjusted since 2005 and current law does not require or provide for inflation adjustments. Supervisors are also reimbursed for expenses associated with the duties of supervision including subsistence, lodging, and mileage. A supervisor may forfeit the compensation.

Flood Control Zone Districts.

Flood control zone districts (FCZDs) are special purpose districts (SPDs). In Washington, a SPD is a limited purpose local government separate from a city, town, or county government. Flood control zone districts, as opposed to flood control districts, are a type of SPD that operate as quasi-municipal corporations. Their purpose is to pursue flood control activities that benefit specified areas of the whole county. The affairs of the flood control zone districts are administered by supervisors. The county commissioners of each county are, by virtue of their office, supervisors of the zones created in each county; however, in zones with more than 2,000 residents, supervisors other than the county commissioners may be elected.

Consumer Price Index.

Under Washington law, a number of SPDs are required to make periodic adjustments for inflation to dollar thresholds for per diem compensation paid to their commissioners or directors. These SPDs use the consumer price index for wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W). The CPI-W is an index prepared and published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, which measures the average change in prices of goods and services. It is used to illustrate the extent that prices have risen or the amount of inflation that has taken place.

Summary of Bill:

Beginning in 2014, elected FCZD supervisors' per diem compensation is increased to $114 per day for attending official meetings or performing other official services on the districts behalf. Compensation for FCZD supervisors shall not exceed $10,944 per calendar year. Starting in 2018, the Office of Financial Management (OFM) will adjust per diem compensation every five years due to inflation and OFM will base the adjustment on the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers.