The Washington Interlocal Cooperation Act, Ch. 39.34 RCW, authorizes public bodies to enter into contracts with other public bodies for interlocal agreements that allow cooperation between agencies to conduct government-led activities and provide public services. The law also allows the creation of non-profit businesses to achieve these goals. Effective June 7, 2006, RCW 39.34.040 was amended to allow a public body to list inter-local agreements on its website instead of submitting the agreement to the district review body. Examples of agreements in certain thematic areas can be found on the mrsc sites listed below. RCW 39.34 allows a local government to enter into inter-local agreements with other public sector organizations to share resources together for mutual benefit. In accordance with RCW 39.34, the City of Kirkland has, over the years, entered into inter-local agreements with other public bodies for a variety of purposes. Inter-local cooperation can reduce duplication, reduce economies of scale and, in general, improve government efficiency. Local governments make a wide range of cooperative efforts between governments and other public administrations, and inter-local cooperation can take many forms.
Some local governments have entered into agreements or have adopted policy measures in which they intend to establish opportunities for joint coordination and action on issues of common interest with neighbouring jurisdictions. See examples of the following agreements and policies: This page provides an overview of inter-local cooperation for local governments in Washington State, including examples of inter-local agreements. The Joint Municipal Utility Services Act (J. 39.106 RCW), passed by Parliament in 2011, created a new type of intergovernmental society to improve the ability of municipal utilities to plan, fund, operate and deliver public services. By law, local authorities can enter into joint agreements on municipal utility services for the formation of independent municipal enterprises providing one or all of the services provided by their participating members, including water, piping, rainwater and flood protection services.