Planning

YVCOG formed for the purpose of studying regional and intergovernmental issues and provide a wide variety of planning services. Our dedicated team of experienced, professional planners help communities with short-range and long-range planning services, code updates, development review services, neighborhood plans, and other services requested by our members, such as:

Document Research and Preparation

YVCOG staff facilitate, research, write and prepare long-range plans. These documents set the course for local and regional growth in order to create thriving, livable communities. Once a plan is completed or updated, a jurisdiction may become eligible to compete for federal or state grants to assist with construction and system improvements identified in these plans. Plans may include but are not limited to:
– Long Range Comprehensive Plans
– Urban Growth Area Plans
– Park and Recreation Plans, including those for trails
– Hazard Mitigation Plans
– Corridor and Special Area Plans
– Revitalization Plans

Code and Permitting Assistance

All communities require codes, permits, and regulations in order to meet federal and state requirements to implement comprehensive plans and conduct business in a fair, consistent fashion. It is sometimes impossible for smaller jurisdictions to keep up with the ever-changing laws that apply to their community. YVCOG staff specializes in these areas to aid local jurisdictions in meeting new or amended statutes. Our expertise includes:
– Code Drafting and Revisions
– Permit Reviews and Staff Reports: subdivisions, short plats, variances, conditional use permits, etc.
– Critical Areas Compliance and Permit Reviews
– State Environmental Policy Act Checklists

Other Assistance

– Meeting Facilitation
– Community Survey
– Public Involvement
– Needs Assessments
– Visual preference surveys

Grant Application Development

YVCOG staff is available to help identify sources of funding for almost any type of improvement project by matching your community’s needs with appropriate potential funding sources. Services include:
– Researching the array of possible grant opportunities
– Preparation of background data to document needs and trends
– Independent review and critique of your proposal
– Preparation of grant applications
– Manage the grant process

For additional information on Planning Services, please contact Mike Shuttleworth at 509-574-1550

YVCOG – Yakima Valley Conference of Governments

Yakima Valley Conference of Governments

Working for you since 1966

Document Research and Preparation

Code and Permitting Assistance

Other Assistance

Grant Application Development

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What is an ETC?

What does an ETC do?

Commuter Benefits

Tired of driving alone to work every day, but not sure if you have better options?

Consider what can happen when you use alternate ways of getting to work (or even teleworking):

Good Faith Effort

What is a Good Faith Effort?

State Law define “good faith effort” by these two conditions:

YVCOG considers good faith effort when evaluating an employer’s level of commitment to achieving CTR goals.
One of two outcomes will result:

There are no civil penalties for failure to reach CTR goals. The YVCOG is here to work collaboratively with employers
to find solutions that make sense for them!

Employee Taxes

The IRS allows employees to use their own pre-tax dollars to take advantage of commuter benefits.

Employees have three options for reducing the cost of commuting:

Since 2016, the tax-free and pre-tax limits for commuter benefits provided by an employer are:

Employer Requirements

The CTR Law has six main requirements.

Participating Employers must:

CTR and Business Health

Looking for ways to hone your competitive edge?

Give your business a boost with CTR!

Employer Taxes

Employers (and property managers) who provide CTR incentives are eligible for a
Washington State tax credit up to $100,000 per fiscal year (50% of the employee’s
benefit cost per fiscal year). No more than $60 per employee may be claimed in the
fiscal year.