Winter is just around the corner, which means freezing temperatures.  Check your buildings, including any vacant buildings, to make sure there is enough heat to prevent pipes from freezing. Pipes can freeze wherever they are exposed to cold air, even in buildings with insulation.  Pipes that are under sinks and enclosed in a cabinet have the potential to freeze as the heat may not reach the pipes.

Auditor Pat McCarthy notified local governments of a coming adjustment to the hourly local audit billing rate.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2020, the local audit billing rate will be $113, due largely to significant salary increases that­­­ have affected all state employees.

The state Legislature in recent years has been increasing salaries for state employees, including those who work for the Office of the Washington State Auditor. Calendar year 2019 alone has seen a 5% increase for all employees. Additionally, another 3% adjustment goes into effect in July 2020.

Fire agencies must start the process of annexing no-man's land areas by January 1, 2021.

You may find the bill information here for more information: http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2019-20/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/Senate/5010-S.SL.pdf

SB 5010 states: Under current law, fire protection agencies are not required to provide firefighting services to unprotected land, which is defined as improved property located outside the jurisdiction of a fire protection service agency. Property owners of unprotected lands are encouraged to form or annex into a fire protection jurisdiction or enter into a contract for firefighting services. If this does not occur and firefighting services are provided to unprotected land, the property owners must reimburse the agency initiating firefighting services on unprotected land for certain costs incurred. 

Admitting that I am a big fan of Pulse Foods is an understatement. With the idea of being fully transparent, I need to state that I have worked for the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council in the past as a consultant. My job was to take different pulse crops and create recipes that would be gluten-free, high protein, healthy, eco-friendly, and very important…tasty. After creating these recipes, I worked with chefs all over the country to get these recipes made and presented to hundreds of foodies at each event. It has been an honor to promote the amazing food, but as a chef, it is always a blast to play mad scientist in the kitchen with basic foods that are real and whole.