Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1973 NO. 16 >

A voluntary appearance by a taxpayer before a county board of equalization, when made pursuant to RCW 84.48.010 for the sole purpose of seeking a reduction in the assessed valuation of a certain parcel of real property, does not give the board jurisdiction to increase the valuation of the subject property without advance notice.

AGLO 1976 NO. 16 >

A mayor who has been appointed to a county transportation authority under RCW 36.57.030(3) or (4) may continue to serve on the authority so long as he remains a qualified mayor.

AGO 1984 NO. 16 >

A county sheriff, who officially comes into possession of "lost and found" money, may not keep and retain that money for his office's own use under any of the applicable provisions of chapter 63.40 RCW.

AGO 1976 NO. 16 >

All reasonably necessary costs of foreclosure, distraint and sale of property for delinquent taxes that can be traced by a reliable accounting method to the particular taxpayer and property involved may be (1) charged against the revolving fund created by RCW 82.56.020 and (2) recovered as costs of foreclosure or costs of distraint against the taxpayer or other party against whom that statute authorizes the charging of "costs."

AGO 1959 NO. 16 >

Motor vehicles left in storage by other than registered owner in excess of fifteen days is abandoned and must be turned over to the sheriff.  Garage owner failing to do so is guilty of a misdemeanor under RCW 46.64.050 and forfeits his claim for storage.

AGO 1955 NO. 16 >

A housing authority as authorized to operate an existing commercial building embraced within its limits.

AGO 1982 NO. 16 >

The provisions of Article XI, § 8 (Amendment 57) of the state constitution which prohibit the salaries of those county officers who fix their own compensation from being increased, or diminished, after their election or during their term of office are applicable even in the case of a county which has adopted a home rule charter pursuant to Article XI, § 4 (Amendment 21).

AGO 1978 NO. 17 >

Except under certain special circumstances whereby the normal relationship between a board of county commissioners and a county housing authority is modified, as further indicated herein, the sale of real property by a county commissioner to a county housing authority within the same county does not violate any statutory provision concerning conflicts of interest.

AGO 1983 NO. 19 >

(1) A county treasurer continues to be authorized to invest funds under his/her control within the provisions of RCW 36.29.020 in savings or time accounts in mutual savings banks or savings and loan associations up to the insurance limits afforded such accounts by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation even though the particular institution has not also been approved as a qualified depositary under chapter 66, Laws of 1983‑-except to the extent that specific statutes which were repealed or amended by chapter 66 might come into play. (2) Consideration, and identification, of certain specific municipal funds which, by virtue of the enactment of chapter 66, Laws of 1983, may no longer be invested or deposited with thrift institutions which have not been approved as qualified public depositaries.

AGO 1963 NO. 19 >

(1) It is the duty of the county treasurer to check the tax rolls upon the request of mortgagees and to give a statement as to what real property taxes, if any, are owing on property in which the mortgagee has an interest. (2) Same :  The treasurer may not charge any fee for such service. (3) Same :  The treasurer would be subject to liability if he fails to exercise reasonable care in making a search. (4) Same :  There is no duty upon the treasurer to sign the report he prepares, but because liability may arise as the result of negligently prepared reports, it may be advisable to sign the report for authentication purposes.