Goat Hill Parking Garage safety reminders

If you park in the Goat Hill Parking Garage, 415 6th Avenue, the Facilities Management Division (FMD) of Executive Services reminds you not to leave any valuables in your vehicle and to lock your car. There have been several “smash and grab” burglaries of vehicles at Goat Hill recently at night. Be vigilant, especially during overnight or early morning hours. Daylight saving time starts this weekend, so early mornings will be darker.

Security escort program: Upon request, King County provides security in downtown Seattle for individuals moving between their workplace and their commute. Please contact the emergency dispatch center at 206-296-5000 to arrange for a security escort whether coming in to work or leaving work. Escorts are limited by available staff.​

WalkpoolingWalkpool is a program where you can walk to and from work with a buddy. Visit the Employee Transportation Program website for more information.

To report a non-emergency incident, use our online form, call 206-296-5000, or email FMD.Security@kingcounty.gov. In case of emergency, call 911.

See additional resources and programs for personal safety at work.

Daylight Saving Time reminder to spring forward March 12

This is a friendly reminder to all employees that Daylight Saving Time officially begins on Sunday, March 12 at 2 a.m., meaning we will move the clock ahead one hour.

Daylight Saving Time will end on Nov. 5, 2023.

County Supervisors recognized for Military and Guard employee support

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award recognizes supervisor support for employee National Guard and Reserve members, highlighting the contributions, awareness, and care that enable their employees to both serve their country and their organization. Such support includes creating flexible schedules, providing time off before and after deployments, supporting families, and much more.

The ESGR, an official Department of Defense program, has recently bestowed two Patriot Awards to King County supervisors:

  • Jane Corcoran and Amanda Gudmunson from the Department of Executive Services Business Resource Center for their outstanding support of employee Ashley Baker throughout her ongoing service in the Air Force Reserve.
  • Chief Lisa Dove from Metro Transit for outstanding support of employee Chris Cappelletti during his career in the U.S. Coast Guard.

ESGR serves to foster a culture of understanding between employers and members of the Reserve and National Guard. If you are a Reserve or Guard member who wants to nominate your supervisor for the Patriot Award, please visit the ESGR website for more information.

Pictured above, left to right: Chris Cappelletti, Patriot Award recipient Lisa Dove, and ESGR representative Phil Sanders.

Ready for the next rainy season? The work to shore up clean water systems begins now

Cross-posted from Clean Water Stories

It’s certainly not news that Western Washington is a wet place. That means a lot of water can flow into King County’s treatment plants on a daily, or even hourly basis.

Rain doesn’t belong in the sewer, but it gets in there through cracks in sewer pipes or from drains on building roofs and foundations that are connected to the sewer system. In some parts of Seattle, sewer and stormwater systems are combined. And while the Wastewater Treatment Division is dealing with the rainy season, they’re also planning and strategizing for the work to be done during the dry times. Read more.

Michelle Allison confirmed as Metro General Manager

Cross-posted from Metro Matters

Michelle Allison, nominated by Executive Dow Constantine to lead King County Metro, was unanimously confirmed by the King County Council. Allison was previously deputy general manager and now becomes only the second woman to lead Metro.

Allison is proudly leading Metro as it celebrates its milestone 50th anniversary in 2023, and the agency is carrying energy and enthusiasm forward as it heads into the next 50 years. Read more.

Executive launches Civic Campus initiative in State of the County address

King County Executive Dow Constantine delivered his 2023 State of the County address to the King County Council Tuesday that highlighted progress in the last year and continued work ahead, including the need for action in the state Legislature to avoid budget cuts this fall.

In his address, Executive Constantine launched the Civic Campus initiative, a proposal to reimagine the courthouse neighborhood, and with Sound Transit considering the shuttered Administration Building as the site for a new Link Light Rail station, Executive Constantine urged making the most of the opportunity if selected. He also urged the legislature to remove the 1% cap on the county’s primary funding source, and build statewide solutions to behavioral health.

“This historic area can remain a center of local government, but it can also be so much more: a neighborhood with residents of all incomes, with shops and restaurants and gathering spaces, a place that enlivens and supports the surrounding neighborhoods,” Executive Constantine said. “Public and private workplaces that reflect the way people work in this new era. It’s clear that we’re not simply going back to how things were — so let’s use this moment to go forward.”

You can learn more in the press release and full transcript, and the video of his remarks.

Watch 2023 State of the County address today at 1 p.m.

King County Executive Dow Constantine will deliver his 2023 State of the County address at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, and employees are invited to watch the address live from their workstations. 

You can watch Executive Constantine’s address streaming live on this webpage and on KCTV Channels 22 and 322 (HD). The Executive’s remarks will begin a little after 1 p.m. 

Every year, during the State of the County address, Executive Constantine discusses the condition of our County and outlines his legislative agenda and priorities to the people of King County. 

Video and the text of the Executive’s address will be available soon after the event. 

The State of the County address is a County-sponsored event and King County directors, managers, and supervisors are encouraged to permit employees to join, if possible. Employees should speak with their manager about HR policies regarding employee attendance at County-sponsored events. 

Contribute sick or vacation time to help coworkers in need

King County’s leave donation programs allow you to help colleagues affected by catastrophic health conditions or injuries, or those who are caring for family members, by donating sick or vacation hours.

The Emergency Medical Leave Fund allows you to donate accrued leave to a central fund that can be distributed to other employees who have a qualifying need. You can donate up to 80 hours of accrued vacation and 25 hours of accrued sick leave each calendar year.

The Employee-to-Employee Medical Leave Donation Program allows you to donate any amount of your accrued vacation time directly to another employee, and up to 25 hours of your sick leave per year, as long as you have 100 hours or more of sick leave remaining.

Donated leave can only be used for a qualifying family or medical reason—such as your own serious health condition or the serious health condition of an eligible family member, or to bond with a new child—and can only be used after you’ve exhausted all of your own accrued leaves.

For more information, including forms and an FAQ, go to the Taking leave webpage. If you have questions about donating leave, contact the Benefits Team 206-684-1556 or KC Benefits.

Salvation Army and Sheriff’s Office collaborate to help family living in vehicle

From the Sheriff’s Newsletter

In the early morning hours of Feb. 16, Master Police Officer (MPO) Omar Jackson contacted the occupants of a vehicle parked outside a gas station-car wash- laundromat. He learned that a family of seven was living in that car.

In speaking with the father, MPO Jackson was told that recently the entire family had moved to the area from the southeast and the father had also lost his job. As an experienced tradesman, he was willing and able to work.

The five kids ranged in age from two months to eight years. MPO Jackson and Mental Health Professional (MHP) Daisy Espinoza reached out to the Salvation Army Street Level team to assist the family. The Salvation Army coordinated a hotel stay for them until they move into their new home.

MHP Espinoza and MPO Jackson later met with the family of seven at the Salvation Army Street Level office in Tukwila. They provided them with a week’s worth of food, baby formula, and diapers. Initially, the father was hesitant, but MPO Jackson let the man know that he would try to connect them with the services they so badly needed. Eventually, he was accepting of the combined efforts and follow-through. The Salvation Army even coordinated a job interview for the father.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank everyone involved. This collaborative effort shows the effectiveness of working with the Salvation Army’s Street Level team to help those needing services.

Use your 2022 FSA funds

If you still have funds remaining in last year’s Health Care or Day Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), be sure to get reimbursed for expenses incurred in 2022. There are a variety of ways to submit claims and the deadline is March 31, 2023.

Click here for details and information on how to submit claims.

If you have questions about your FSA, contact Navia at 800-669-3539 or Navia Customer Service.