Association of Washington Cities (AWC)

This web page provides a list of resources specific to the 169 cities in the state that are 5,000 or under in population. The small city resources listed here include individuals and organizations, state agencies, and associations, that have resources of value to small cities.

Clerk/Treasurer’s Reference Tool

This document has been compiled by the Association of Washington Cities, Washington State Auditors Office and the Washington Municipal Clerk’s Association and serves as a starting point for information for new clerks and clerk/treasurers in Washington’s small cities.

Download (pdf, 455 kb)

Washington State Auditor’s Office Small Cities Assistance Program

Small City Handbook

RCW 43.09.200

The State Auditor’s Office Local Government Support Team provides training and technical assistance for cities and towns with populations of fewer than 10,000 citizens. Training is provided for new personnel and officials in the areas of legal compliance and government accounting issues. These issues range from preparing an annual financial report; developing a budget; reconciling financial reports; reviewing internal control procedures; and procedures needed to assure accuracy and accountability.

Contact: Toni Nelson, State Auditors Office, Small City Specialist – (509) 710-4949 nelsont@sao.wa.gov

Small City Resource Manual

The Small City Resource Manual is a helpful guide to make your life at city hall a little easier. As a small city, you face your own unique set of challenges and the goal of this manual is to assist you as you make policy decisions, give you tips on how to work together as a council, provide fiscal management resources, and much more.

You can either download the full document (pdf, 1.4 mb) or individual chapters:

Introduction (pdf, 85.8 kb)

Chapter 1 - Overview of a City (pdf, 142.8 kb)
Chapter 2 - Leadership & Management (pdf, 198 kb)
Chapter 3 - Successful City Councils (pdf, 149 kb)
Chapter 4 - Planning Your City's Future (pdf, 176.4 kb)
Chapter 5 - Ethics, Open Government and Fairness (pdf, 194.2 kb)
Chapter 6 - Municipal Budgeting and Fiscal Management (pdf, 180.4 kb)
Chapter 7 - Human Resources and Labor Relations (pdf, 171 kb)
Chapter 8 - Keeping Your Community Safe (pdf, 164.8 kb)
Chapter 9 - Public Works that Work for Your Public (pdf, 208.8 kb)
Chapter 10 - Comprehensive Planning, Growth Management and Environmental Protection (pdf, 201.8 kb)

Index of Resources (pdf, 109 kb)
Appendix A - Agency Resources (pdf, 50.5 kb)
Appendix B - City and Town Population, County, Class and Government Type 2006 (pdf, 73.6 kb)
Appendix C - Acronyms (pdf, 58.9 kb)
Appendix D - GMA Cities (pdf, 53.4 kb)

If you would like to order an additional manual for your town or city, link to: www.awcnet.org/forms/orderpublication.asp. The online manual provides the important links for in-depth, up to date information on each topic.

We hope the Small City Resource Manual becomes a valuable tool for you at city hall. If you have questions, please contact Karen Tanner (karent@awcnet.org) at 1-800-562-8981.