Employee Appreciation Day is Friday, March 6
Today is Employee Appreciation Day! Thank you to all King County employees for your hard work and dedication to providing top quality services to our community. King County values the contributions of each and every employee.
We appreciate you and celebrate you on this special day! Employee Appreciate Day is celebrated the first Friday of March each year.
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Executive announces new Chief Operating Officer
King County Executive Zahilay recently named his new Chief Operating Officer, Hyeok Kim, and highlighted her achievements on LinkedIn, saying:
I’m excited to welcome an exceptional addition to our King County Executive Office as we continue to build out the strong collaborative team that is working hard to deliver meaningful results to all King County residents.
Hyeok Kim will serve as our Chief Operating Officer. She will play a vital role on my senior leadership team and is responsible for directing and supporting day-to-day operations across all King County Cabinet agencies.
She has an extensive background in public service at all levels of government. She served as Deputy Mayor for the City of Seattle from 2014 – 2017. In doing so, she became the first Asian American woman to hold such a role in the city’s history. Prior to her work at City Hall, she was the Executive Director of InterimCDA, a nonprofit housing development organization, and she also worked for nine years in the Washington State Legislature. Since 2020, she’s worked as an independent consultant on a wide range of topics from children’s advocacy, childcare and early learning to enterprise cloud solutions and affordable housing.
Hyeok also brings extensive experience as a volunteer and civic leader. She is a former Commissioner on President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, a former Marshall Memorial Fellow and she was a Casey Fellow with the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Please join me in welcoming Hyeok to my administration. I look forward to working with her and watching her expertise in action as we continue to deliver on a county government dedicated to serving our residents well.
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On 100th Day, Executive Zahilay announces new Executive Order to strengthen governance and fiscal oversight
On Wednesday, March 4, Executive Zahilay shared the following message:
This morning, I hosted a press conference to announce several actions our administration is taking to strengthen county government, prepare for the challenging budget forecasts that lie ahead, continue improving how we manage public funds, and identify savings opportunities.
Today also marks my first 100 days in office since our inauguration on November 25. I say our inauguration because this is a team sport. Our shared success as King County government is dependent upon one another.
One thing I know for certain is that King County’s workforce is one of the best in the country and is widely recognized for its effectiveness and innovation. I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed being out in the field across the county with so many different departments and teams as I continue to learn more about our work and all of you. Read more.
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Build your skills and knowledge 24/7 with NEOGOV Learn
As a King County employee, you have access to a catalogue of more than 2,000 online learning courses related to personal and professional development, computer and technical skills, and dozens of other topics designed to help you reach your personal and professional goals.
NEOGOV Learn (employee access only) gives you access to thousands of courses, allows you to customize and track your learning, lets you access assigned courses, and provides credit for attending King County classes, workshops, and webinars.
You can access NEOGOV Learn in three ways:
- Login through single sign-on (SSO).
- Open the NEOGOV icon on your computer’s desktop.
- Go to the NEOGOV sign-in page, select ‘Login with SSO,’ and use the code kingcounty.
Trouble logging in?
If you are experiencing issues logging in (including uncertainty about your email account), please submit a ticket via Cherwell HelpDesk > Software & Web Support > NEOGOV.
Once you have logged in, click on “Training” to show your “Overview,” “My Courses,” “Course Catalog,” and “Training Activity Report.” For more information on using NEOGOV Learn, go to the Learning and Development Intranet Homepage for FAQs and more.
You may need supervisor approval to take courses during work hours. Courses taken outside of work hours may not be eligible for pay or overtime, so it’s always a good idea to check with your manager before enrolling. If you have any other questions or concerns about using NEOGOV Learn, please review the KC eLearning FAQs.
Check out NEOGOV Learn and see how it can help you learn, develop, and achieve your career goals.
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Infrastructure for the future: Fall City’s septic upgrade supports local businesses
Crossposted from King County Local
If you’ve driven through Fall City recently, you may have noticed construction activity behind some local businesses. It’s part of a major infrastructure upgrade: the long-awaited on-site community septic system for the Fall City business district.
Since our November update, crews have installed and connected more than half of the septic tanks (40) to the underground treatment plant. The project remains on schedule for completion in Summer 2026, a milestone that will support existing businesses and allow them to fully use their buildings to serve the community. Read more.
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Updated King County Critical Area Ordinance enhances protection for environmentally important areas while supporting housing and commercial agriculture
Crossposted from King County Local
King County has completed a major update of its regulations for developing land near wetlands, streams, and other critical areas. Created through three years of research, planning, and public discussion, the updated King County Critical Area Ordinance is a set of land use regulations intended to safeguard environmentally critical areas, communities, and infrastructure. The King County Council adopted the final ordinance in December.
The term “critical area” refers to land that merits special protection because of its ecological value or importance to public health or safety. Examples include wetlands, streams, areas next to rivers, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, areas that are frequently flooded, and critical aquifer recharge areas. The term also covers geologically hazardous areas, including those at risk for landslides, erosion, and seismic hazards.
Learn more, including when the ordinance becomes effective, frequently asked questions, next steps, and updated permitting guidance, on the King County Local Blog.
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King County’s new recycling and transfer station in Algona nears completion and features improved water quality, restored habitat
When the South County Recycling and Transfer Station in Algona opens this summer to replace its 60-year-old predecessor, customers of King County’s newest solid waste facility will find convenient waste disposal and a wide range of recycling options.
Built with a focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship to ensure long-lasting service for communities in and around Algona, Auburn, Federal Way and Pacific, this new station will feature separate disposal areas for commercial garbage haulers and public self-haul customers. Read more.
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Healthy beginnings start with educators: Inside the Child Care Health Program
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
In classrooms across King County, public health is at work: though not always in the ways you might expect. It’s happening in quiet moments of partnership with early learning educators, through culturally responsive tools and trainings, supported by a dynamic and dedicated team focused on children’s well-being from the very beginning. This is the work of the Child Care Health Program (CCHP) at Public Health – Seattle & King County.
Meeting educators where they’re at
Every parent wants to know their child is safe, and every educator wants to feel ready to provide that safety, whether its keeping classrooms clean and healthy day to day or knowing what to do in an emergency. That is where the Child Care Health Program (CCHP) steps in. With a dedicated team of nurses, mental health clinicians, a nutritionist, and educator consultants, the CCHP works alongside providers to make sure every child has a caring, supportive place to learn and grow. Read more.
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Join the redesigned King County Mentorship Program
The King County Mentorship Program has officially relaunched with a refreshed six-month experience designed to empower employees to build relationships that ensure our collective progress.
We are looking for committed mentors who are ready to guide and support mentees as they take ownership of their growth and development.
What to do next: Visit the Mentorship Program intranet page to:
- Learn about the six-month program
- Complete your role-specific e-learning
- Attend the role-specific kickoff sessions in March
- Explore the new Mentorship Guide and other resources
Your new journey starts here. Join the relaunched Mentorship Program and help shape the future of King County together.
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Executive releases recommendations of 100-member Transition Committee
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay has released the report of Transition Committee Recommendations developed by the 100 community members who participated in his Transition Committee in December 2025.
“King County residents have delivered a Transition Committee report with policy recommendations for short and long-term actions that our new administration can take,” Executive Zahilay said. “Over the coming months you will see us advancing many of these actions, which primarily focus on the 4Bs: (1) “Breaking the Cycle” of homelessness, addiction, trauma, and incarceration, (2) “Building for Affordability” the housing, childcare, and transit that our growing region needs, (3) putting “Boots on the Ground” for more customer and community service, and (4) advancing “Better Government” services through fiscal responsibility, transparency, accountability, and equity.”
The Committee was asked to use the framework of the Executive’s “4Bs for a Brighter Future” in developing the report, with members organized into subcommittees aligned with the 4Bs. You can read the full report here.
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