Drafter
Clerk 06/24/2009
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AN ORDINANCE establishing the King County historic preservation and historical programs advisory task force.
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PREAMBLE:
In 2005, the Washington state Legislature enacted legislation to establish a permanent surcharge on the recording of county documents. RCW 36.22.170 provides that a portion of the revenue generated by the surcharge be "used at the discretion of the county commissioners to promote historic preservation or historical programs, which may include preservation of historic documents." Counties around the state are now examining how to use the new source of funding to promote historic preservation and historical programs. The creation of this dedicated funding source presents an opportunity to ensure that funding of historic preservation and historical programs is appropriately and thoughtfully distributed in King County. Ensuring the appropriate and thoughtful distribution of these funds requires an understanding of the current funding and governance structures for historic preservation and historical programs in King County. In December 2008, the King County auditor's office completed a compliance audit of the county's use of historic preservation and historical programs funding authorized by the Washington state Legislature in House Bill 1386, and identified opportunities for improved accountability and transparency in the use of the surcharge revenues by establishing formal policies and procedures to guide their use. The metropolitan King County council is committed to the county policy of promoting historic preservation and historical programs and the general policy of using its resources in the most effective and efficient way possible. Therefore, the council finds that the establishment of an historic preservation and historical programs advisory committee is necessary to explore how to use the surcharge and make other recommendations on how best to promote historic preservation and historical p...

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