North Kitsap Fire & Rescue: Alleged Violation of RCW 42.17A.555 for use of public facilities to support a political campaign for a tax increase levy. (AUG 2018)

Case

#40302

Respondent

Stephen Neupert

Complainant

Scott Henden

Description

The complaint alleged that the North Kitsap Fire and Rescue (the District), a public agency, may have violated RCW 42.17A.555 by using fire district facilities to produce and distribute a newsletter that provided citizens with information in support of Proposition 1, a four-year maintenance and operations levy for North Kitsap Fire and Rescue.

Pursuant to WAC to WAC 390-37-060(1) the District will receive a formal written warning concerning the need for election related information distributed by a public agency using public funds, needs to be an objective and factual presentation of the facts, and to not include language or photographs to provoke an emotional reaction to support a ballot proposition. The formal written warning will include staff's expectation that North Kitsap Fire and Rescue and its staff will follow the PDC guidance in PDC Interpretation #04-02.

The Commission will consider the formal written warning in deciding on further Commission action if there are future violations of PDC laws or rules.

The PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

September 05, 2018

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.555