Pierce County Library System: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.555 by using public facilities to promote a ballot proposition. (EY 18; Sep 18)

The complaint alleged that the Pierce County Library System (PCLS) spent public funds for Facebook advertisements in support of Proposition No. 1, a PCLS levy lid lift on the November 6, 2018 general election ballot.  Specifically, Mary Getchell, PCLS Marketing and Communications Director, on behalf of the PCLS posted information on its Facebook page thanking the TNT editorial board for printing an article endorsing Proposition No. 1 on the November 6, 2018, general election ballot, and then spent $250 in library public funds to Facebook to boost that post.  By spending $250 to boost the post of the TNT endorsement of the PCLS levy lid lift, Ms. Getchell used the facilities of the Pierce County Library System to support Proposition No. 1.

An executed Statement of Understanding (SOU) signed by Mary Getchell, on behalf of the PCLS, was received by the PDC acknowledging a violation of RCW 42.17A.555, and paying a $150 civil penalty to resolve this matter.