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Pasco PFD declines to endorse proposed statewide PFD bylaws pending clarity on member obligations
Summary
Board members discussed a proposed Association of Washington State Public Facilities Districts' bylaws and agreed not to endorse or pass a resolution at this time, citing unclear membership obligations and potential liabilities; staff will remain open to informal participation.
Pasco Public Facilities District board members on April 20 declined to endorse proposed bylaws for an Association of Washington State Public Facilities Districts, saying the draft language left unclear whether endorsement would obligate the district to dues or expose it to unknown liabilities.
Board members reviewed an email exchange and committee discussion about whether a formal resolution of endorsement was appropriate. Greg Watkins, the district's executive director, and others said the association could be supported through participation and payment without a formal board resolution.
“Endorsement by all PFDs is not necessary to the formation of the underlying nonprofit, nor is endorsement necessary for your PFD to participate,” an email cited in board materials stated. The board’s legal and governance concerns centered on whether a resolution would create open-ended obligations or unintended exposure.
Board members and counsel discussed an analogy of being a fish in a net — a plaintiff could try to include many organizations in litigation — and several members said a formal endorsement offered no obvious benefit but could create a perception of liability. Eric (meeting participant) and others recommended informal affiliation and participation rather than a formal resolution.
No motion was made to adopt the proposed resolution endorsing the association's bylaws, and the item was not advanced. Meeting materials and the email exchange remain on record; staff said they will continue informal engagement and revisit the matter if clarifying bylaws language becomes available.
