Tim Anderson charting the future with Animal Services
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express
Tim Anderson recenlty began in a new official role as Assistant Operations Manager of Regional Animal Services (RASKC). The position expands Anderson’s supervisory role to include all of RASKC, adding veterinary clinic support and pet licensing.
“We’re extremely fortunate to have someone of Tim’s caliber to be one of the applicants and be successful,” said RASKC manager Gene Mueller. “He’s one of the best managers I’ve ever worked with in 30 years.” Read more.
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Executive Constantine tours major Cedar River restoration project
King County Executive Dow Constantine toured a recently completed project that restored a nearly mile-long segment of the Cedar River to a more natural state, simultaneously improving salmon habitat and reducing flood risks for people, homes, and infrastructure.
The Riverbend project restored 52 acres of floodplain east of Renton while creating side channels that provide slow-water, shallow habitat that is ideal for native salmon. It builds on the progress King County and partners made upstream with the successful Rainbow Bend restoration project that was completed in 2013. Read more here and watch the video below.
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BECU home loan discount for King County employees
King County employees who join BECU (Boeng Employees Credit Union) are eligible for home loan discounts through June 30, 2023.
Members receive competitive rates, credits on closing costs, and savings on fees. To learn more, click here.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
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What you can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Cross-posted from Keeping King County Green
A recent first-of-its-kind study led by King County shows greenhouse gas emissions per person decreased. We are all doing more to protect the environment.
But total emissions increased, in part, because more people moved here. To read more and watch a video about what you can do to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, click here.
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What did it take to become a female operator at a King County wastewater treatment plant?
Cross posted from Clean Water Stories
Pam Restovic made history as a woman in the trades, working as a wastewater operator in the early days of the Clean Water Act. This law set new regulations to protect our nation’s waters from pollution and created new jobs across the country.
Like many women at the time, Pam didn’t envision this career path. She grew up in Santiago, Chile and immigrated to the U.S. for school at age 20. After graduating from college, she was working as a waitress when a customer who worked in wastewater operations encouraged her to apply for an open position at King County’s West Point Treatment Plant. She was attracted to the steady career and an opportunity to protect the environment. Read more.
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Metro welcomes new Transit Police Chief Todd Morrell
Cross-posted from Metro Matters
Todd Morrell has been selected as the new Chief for the Metro Transit Police following a competitive recruitment process. Morrell boasts more than 25 years of experience in law enforcement.
As an ardent supporter of transit, Morrell recognizes how vital the role mobility plays in helping our communities succeed and thrive. Read more.
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Sheriff’s deputies attend Skyway community Easter event
From the Sheriff’s Newsletter
The King County Sheriff’s Office hopped into the Skyway Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) Easter Egg Party recently. The deputies celebrated with 75 young Skyway residents and their families. The VFW provided cookie decorating, arts and crafts, lunch, lemonade, and a huge Easter Egg hunt for the children.
Eggs were filled with sweet treats and tickets for prizes, and the spring showers didn’t dampen spirits with the hunt being held indoors. Children and their families left with full stomachs, stuffed Easter bags, and smiles all around.
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Innovative foster program helps kittens and youth
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express
Barbara Ramey, a Communications Specialist for Executive Services, posted a first-person account about her visit to Echo Glen Children’s Center to see a volunteer program for Regional Animal Services of King County up close.
Echo Glen is a detention center for juvenile felons run by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The idea behind the program is to give the young people skills they need to make different choices. “The kids respond very well to the kittens,” the story states. Read more.
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Reminder: WA Cares Fund payroll deductions begin in July
The WA Cares Fund is a new state long-term care insurance program administered by the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
Beginning July 1, 2023, almost all workers in Washington are required to contribute to the WA Cares Fund via mandatory payroll deduction.
The current premium rate is 0.58% of gross wages, or $0.58 per $100. For example, if an employee earns $50,000 annually, the total annual premium is $290 or $11.15 per paycheck. Use the WA Cares Fund calculator to Estimate your contribution.
Beginning July 2026, people eligible to receive the WA Cares Fund benefit can access a $36,500 lifetime benefit to pay for covered long-term care services.
Exemptions to the WA Cares Fund
Some employees may be eligible for a permanent or conditional exemption from the WA Cares Fund. To learn more and to request a program exemption, go to WA CARES Act Exemptions & Information.
If you are granted an exemption from the ESD, submit a copy of your final approval letter and your nine-digit PeopleSoft ID# by email to: WA.CARES.Exemption.Letters@kingcounty.gov or by U.S. mail to: Central Payroll WA CARES, 401 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104.
If you have already submitted your approved exemption letter to King County, there is no need to resubmit it. Central Payroll is processing exemption letters and will confirm receipt by the end of May.
To learn more about submitting an exemption approval letter, go to the King County WA Cares Fund webpage.
More information
King County does not administer any part of the WA Cares Fund beyond collecting premiums via payroll deduction and reporting employee pay and hours to ESD. For more information about the program, call 844-CARE4WA (844-227-3492) or use the following links to the WA Cares Fund website:
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