Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel disruptions: Service alternatives available during repairs
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Damage to the ceiling of the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT) at Westlake Station is disrupting Sound Transit Link 1 Line service until further notice. Riders should prepare for additional travel times as trains are operating every 15-20 minutes in the DSTT. Surface street bus options are available by using King County Metro’s Trip Planner. Read more.
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Have your say: King County asking for input on budget cuts
King County launched a community survey asking for public input on prioritizing services funded by the County’s General Fund to inform looming budget cuts. The 2025-2026 General Fund is facing a $100 million revenue shortfall due to the state’s arbitrary one percent limit on property tax collections, which has not been updated in 20 years and now coincides with increased costs and high rates of inflation exceeding 9%.
To prevent deeper cuts in the next biennial budget and to provide time for affected programs to wind down, King County will be considering a budget in the fall that will include cuts to general fund programs.
Executive Constantine is asking for input on budget priorities from employees and residents. The budget cuts are required because the legislature did not fix the outdated property tax revenue limits for counties. Take the survey here.
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Local Services gets National Association of Government Communicators award for Participatory Budgeting
Crossposted from King County Local
Local Services’ Participatory Budgeting program has received an international accolade for the way it helped spread the word to the community.
The department won a National Association of Government Communicators’ Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Award for the blog post/news releases that it produced for Participatory Budgeting. Read more.
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Voters approve Crisis Care Centers Levy—a generational investment to transform the behavioral health system in King County
King County Executive Dow Constantine applauds the approval of the Crisis Care Centers initiative, a nine-year levy that will create a regional network of five Crisis Care Centers, restore and increase mental health residential treatment beds, and invest in the people who do the difficult, important, and historically underpaid work of providing mental health and substance use disorder services.
“King County voters agree – we must build a stronger behavioral health system to meet the urgent and growing need for care,” said Executive Constantine. “With this strong approval, we will chart a path forward to provide the help people need and deserve.” Read more in the official press release.
Pictured: King County Executive Dow Constantine announces the final stage of purchasing Cascade Hall, a 64-bed residential treatment center in north Seattle on September 14, 2022.
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May is Mental Health Month
A message from Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer
May is Mental Health Month and as we have seen year over year, mental health continues to be a growing concern in our county and communities. More than half of American adults will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime. We are seeing a growing concern over children’s mental health as well. Many of us, including me, have been impacted by mental illness, either personally or with someone we are close to. The last thing I want is for anyone – whether they are colleagues, family, friends, or strangers – to struggle alone and in silence or not know where to turn for help.
If you are concerned about mental health, there are several options available. For support with mental health for you or a loved one, consider reaching out to a mental health professional covered by King County’s insurance benefits, or to one of our King County Employee Assistance Program mental health counselors. Watch the Balanced You blog, Employee News email, Wellness Wednesday, and common areas at worksites for more information this month on programs and resources that promote mental health and emotional well-being.
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How the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency impacts your employee medical and pharmacy benefits
During the COVID-19 National Emergency and the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, some benefit coverages expanded temporarily to make it easier for employees to receive care. These emergencies officially end on May 11, 2023, and many of the expanded benefits will return to normal coverage levels and regular deductibles, copays, and coinsurance will apply.
Items that will no longer be covered
- Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests will no longer be covered and will be an out-of-pocket expense.
Medical benefits that are going back to “normal”
- COVID-19 PCR lab tests will be covered when ordered by an in-network provider and your medical plan’s normal cost-sharing amounts will apply.
- Treatment for COVID-19: All treatments and prescription drugs for COVID-19 will be subject to your medical plan’s normal cost-sharing amounts (copays or coinsurance) will apply.
- Telehealth for Regence members (KingCare and KingCare Select) will continue to be covered, and normal plan cost-sharing (copays coinsurance) will apply.
Services that will still be covered 100%
- COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, are considered preventive care, and will continue to be covered at 100% if received from an in-network provider.
- Telehealth for Regence members using Doctor on Demand will continue at no charge. Doctor on Demand is available to the Regular and ATU 587 employee benefit groups.
- Telehealth visits for Kaiser members will continue to be free.
More information
For more information about your King County benefits and coverage, contact the Benefits Team at 206-684-1556 or KC Benefits. For Regence BlueShield Customer Service, call 800-376-7926. For Kaiser Permanente Customer Service, call 888-901-4636.
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May is Bike Everywhere Month
Yes, everywhere and anywhere. To work, grocery shopping, getting kids to school, your pickleball court, places you’ve been meaning to go. Get even farther when you use a bike to get to your bus, train or boat.
Form a team, join a team on LovetoRide
Challenge or cajole your coworkers, neighbors, family members, friends – or yourself. It’s not all hard-core. Earn points for being a new participant, most rides, miles, different kinds of trips, encouraging others, or rides with kids.
King County’s teams have been among the most active in the past. If you form a team of King County employees, please register your workplace as King County Government, choose your department, then make up your team’s name.
Where to start?
Find lots of useful info at Metro’s Celebrate Bike Month page. Look at events and activities on Cascade Bicycle Club’s 2023 Bike Everywhere Month calendar.
Learn more
- Got a bike? Give it the ABC check – air, brakes, crank/chain/cogs, adjust your helmet, then start rolling.
- Need a bike? Talk to the experts at your local bike shop for new or used models, or check for refurbished ones at the Bikery or Bike Works.
- Test ride an e-bike.
- Rent a bike for several hours to days, or pick up a bike share bike like Lime or Veo in Seattle, just download the apps.
- Remind yourself about safety tips.
Grab a ride-buddy to explore, or sign up for classes or rides ranging from casual to challenging this month and year-round. Time to get out there!
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Join the King County Ragnar Northwest Passage Relay team
Following the success with a King County team in the annual Ragnar Northwest Passage Relay from Blaine to Langley, the team wants to gauge interest in adding a second King County team of runners this year.
The race is July 14-15; a team is 12 runners in two vans, each taking on three legs. There is still time to register another team by the May 11 deadline, so reach out if you’re interested by emailing Seth Watson.
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One million trees — and counting!
Cross posted from King County Parks
King County set an ambitious five-year goal in our 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan to plant, protect, and prepare a combined three million trees by the end of 2025. This effort helps mitigate climate change, improves forest health and salmon habitat, and increases tree canopy.
As of January 2023, over one million trees have been planted, protected, and prepared. This includes:
- Planting more than 200,000 trees
- Protecting 615,000 trees (more than 2,000 acres of forests and natural areas)
- Preparing and restoring 200,000 trees (more than 650 acres of forested areas)
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New Capitol Hill Health through Housing building announced
King County Executive Dow Constantine and City of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the operators for the newest Health Through Housing building — a 35-unit building providing permanent supportive housing in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood.
The building will be jointly operated by Lavender Rights Project and Chief Seattle Club and is expected to welcome residents this fall. Read more.
Employee News 