Retirement plan contributions to change Sept. 1
Employee and employer contribution rates for retirement plans will change on Sept. 1, 2022, as approved by the State Legislature.
The state Pension Funding Council adjusts contribution rates as needed to fund the retirement benefits earned by members. Click here to see the new contribution rates.
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New approach by King County Regional Homelessness Authority featured in Washington Post
King County was featured this week in a Washington Post article on innovations to improve the accuracy of data on the homeless population in our area. The article documents a new method being trialed by the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) for counting unsheltered populations, and also features a report from the King County Department of Community and Human Services that analyzes integrated data hubs to better identify gaps between systems serving our most vulnerable neighbors. Better data will mean more effective solutions for people experiencing homelessness. Read more.
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Search and Rescue team airlifts injured hiker
A team from the King County Search and Rescue team recenlty were caught on video airlifting an injured hiker off Cathedral Rock mountain. The hiker had a broken ankle and was not able to continue without assistance.
Kudos to the team of deputies involved: Joshua Sweeney, Alexander Paul, Anthony Mullinax, Keith Potter, Robert Clarkson, and Peter Linde.
According to a thank you email from the injured hiker, she is successfully recovering back home in California and doctors say she should be able to finish the trail next year. Click here to watch the rescue video.
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Free Youth Transit Pass starts Sept. 1
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced today the one-week countdown to the Free Youth Transit Pass at a celebration and rally with advocates, young leaders, families, and officials who were champions for the change. King County will also join regional transit agencies in lowering ORCA LIFT fares to $1. Read more.
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King County Elections receives national recognition
King County Elections was honored by the Election Center, the National Association of Election Officials, in the organization’s annual Professional Practice Paper Awards for 2022.
The Election Center’s Professional Practices Program is a celebration of best practices from jurisdictions around the country and the U.S. Territories. Read more.
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Washington State Fair discounts for King County employees
Employees can save on tickets to the Washington State Fair, Sept. 2-25. Click here for instructions on how to purchase your discount tickets. Once you log in to the Corporate Perks portal, your discount pricing will be unlocked. There is no need to enter an additional discount code.
See all available King County employee discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
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Equity and Social Justice Change Team summit celebrates success
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express
About 60 Equity and Social Justice Change Team members from all eight Department of Executive Services divisions and the director’s office recently met virtually to celebrate successes under very trying times.
Special guest Derrick Wheeler-Smith, former Director of Zero Youth Detention for King County Public Health and current Director of the Seattle Office for Civil Rights, gave an inspirational message at the second annual Change Team Summit. Read more.
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King County is removing nearly 2,000 toxic-coated pilings from the Harbor Island shoreline
The King County Solid Waste Division is removing a derelict timber dock from the mouth of the Duwamish River, supporting a regional effort to clean up historic pollution and restore shoreline and aquatic habitat.
The $8.1 million project, led by King County’s Solid Waste Division, is removing a 72,700 square-foot dock and its 1,800 timber pilings coated in creosote, a chemical once used to preserve wood that is harmful to water quality and marine life. The project contributes to a regional partnership committed to cleaning up historic pollution in the industrial corridor of the Duwamish River. Read more.
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Executive Constantine announces a combined $8.2 million for community-led projects
King County Executive Dow Constantine recenlty announced two grant funds worth a combined $8.2 million for 37 community-led projects that will increase access to open space and parks, expand recreational facilities, and help protect and restore floodplain habitat.
The King County Council approved the plan to allocate both grants, which are funded by the voter-approved King County Parks Levy. Read more.
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State retirement plan contributions change Sept. 1
Employee and employer contribution rates for some of the following retirement plans will change on Sept. 1, 2022, as approved by the State Legislature. The state Pension Funding Council adjusts contribution rates, as needed, to fund the retirement benefits earned by members.
The PERS employer rate will change to 10.39% for all PERS plans. There were no changes to the LEOFF plans. The PSERS employee rate will change to 6.66% and the employer rate will be 10.63%.
New contribution amount deductions will begin with your Sept. 15 paycheck.
More information is available on the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) website. If you have any questions about the rate change, please contact DRS at 800-547-6657 or recep@drs.wa.gov.
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