Residents question Edmonds after hiring comms firm for RFA vote
EVERETT — A state commission is investigating a complaint that alleges the city of Edmonds is violating state law by misusing public funds to advocate for a ballot measure.
On Feb. 24, Edmonds resident Theresa Hutchinson filed the complaint with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission after learning the city hired a public affairs firm to help with communications for the upcoming vote to annex into South County Fire. Hutchinson is a member of the city-appointed committee to draft the ballot measure’s “con” statement for the voter pamphlet.
The complaint references emails residents discovered last month between the city and the firm’s employees that discussed strategies to seemingly influence a “yes” vote in April. Hiring a public affairs firm to help with ballot measure communications is common practice, said city spokesperson Todd Tatum in an email statement to The Daily Herald. The city has only used public funds “to provide truthful, educational information to the public,” he added.
Under state law, elected officials cannot use public funds or city facilities — including emails, stationery and staff hours — to promote a ballot proposition
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/residents-question-edmonds-after-hiring-comms-firm-for-rfa-vote/