Questions? Contact the Payables Team at Central.AP@kingcounty.gov.
Executive Zahilay announces key amendments and regional partnerships to improve Sound Transit 3 system plan for King County
Yesterday, Executive Girmay Zahilay announced his sponsorship for new amendments to the ST3 system update plan that will advance critical transit projects in King County and improve accountability at Sound Transit.
The Sound Transit Board is expected to vote on these amendments and updated plan on Thursday. In March, the Executive committed to regional collaboration to address the agency’s $34.5 billion funding shortfall while keeping projects affordable and moving forward.
“Addressing a budget deficit of this size is incredibly challenging, and difficult decisions were always going to be necessary,” said Executive Zahilay. “Even so, we made meaningful progress to move all of King County’s projects forward, and no project has been permanently shelved or taken off the table. I’m grateful to community members who have spoken out over the past few months to make their priorities clear, helping the board shape a stronger plan for our region. There is still a lot more to do, and I will continue working with federal, state, and local partners to secure the resources, cost savings, and efficiencies needed to deliver the transit system that voters approved in 2016.” Read more.
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Finding calm in times of change: The power of mindfulness
Are you noticing increased stress due to ongoing uncertainty?
During times of change, it’s common to feel a mix of emotions – such as anxiety or frustration – alongside hope for what’s ahead. Mindfulness offers a way to pause during difficult feelings, notice what’s happening in the moment, and respond with greater calm and clarity.
Balanced You and King County provide resources to help employees learn about and practice mindfulness skills. Read more.
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Celebrate American wetlands this month!
Each May, we celebrate American Wetlands Month to shine a light on these special ecosystems that provide clean water, flood protection, and critical habitat for plants, fish, and wildlife.
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wetland Inventory Program, a vital tool for tracking wetlands across the United States, including right here in King County. You can learn more about this work and check out status and trends in the NWI’s 50th anniversary Storymap. The NWI includes a wetland inventory that was developed by King County and adopted by the USFWS in 2024. Read more.
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Summer ultimate frisbee season ready for launch
King County’s ultimate frisbee team is back for another summer season, with Wednesday evening games starting in June and running through mid-August. Players of all experience levels are welcome, including anyone brand new to the sport. It’s a great way to meet colleagues, get outside, and keep the momentum going after work hours.
Interested? Reach out to Danny Arauz or Amelia Bahr for details.
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Older Americans Month: Investing in senior health promotion
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections
Every May, the nation observes Older Americans Month (OAM) to recognize the contributions of older adults, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm our commitment to helping older adults thrive in their communities.
The 2026 OAM national theme, Champion Your Health, focuses on prevention and wellness as cornerstones of healthy aging. It highlights the importance ofevidence-based approaches, caregiver roles, and community partnerships that empower individuals to lead healthy lives. Read more.
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New online marketplace coming for surplus goods
Crossposted from the DES Express
Fleet Services, which manages the county’s surplus goods, is launching a new inventory management system called Rheaply that will include an online marketplace to make it easy to request surplus items. The initial rollout of the new system in the coming months will be for departmental surplus coordinators, who order items and request surplus goods. Later this year, it will be available for all county employees to request free surplus items for business use.
“We have an internal marketplace where folks can peruse to find items that they need, so they don’t have to come in person anymore,” said Andrew Cronholm, deputy director of Fleet Services. “This will create internal efficiency, it will create a better customer experience, data quality and reporting accuracy.” Read more.
Pictured: Surplus employee Diane Voiland affixes a Rheaply QR code sticker to a microwave. These QR code stickers will make it easier for Surplus employees to inventory, manage and report on surplus goods located in various county locations.
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Tenaya Scheinman, former Inquest Program Attorney, sworn in as King County Superior Court judge
Crossposted from the DES Express
Tenaya Scheinman, former attorney for the King County Inquest Program in the Department of Executive Services, was sworn in on May 1 as a judge for the King County Superior Court. She has been an attorney for the Inquest Program since 2024, presenting evidence to juries investigating the facts and circumstances of deaths involving law enforcement.
She also served as a judge pro tempore in King County District Court, Snohomish County District Court and Edmonds Municipal Court.
Scheinman was appointed by Gov. Bob Ferguson to fill a position vacated by Judge Jim Rogers’ retirement. Read more.
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Better Government: Customer Focus Survey now open
The King County 2026 Better Government: Customer Focus Survey launched today for employees in all departments, except District Court, Superior Court, Council, and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and employees in Short-Term Temporary positions (STTs), Interns, and anyone with less than 3 months of tenure.
This is your opportunity to share feedback to help the County better support you in providing the best possible service to our community. We want to hear from you so we can learn what matters most in helping you serve the public effectively. Your responses will help us identify strengths and opportunities to ensure King County continues to deliver high‑quality, community‑centered service.
The survey should take about 5-10 minutes to complete, and you will have the opportunity to take the survey during working hours. All responses are confidential. Our survey vendor, Qualtrics, will ensure that responses are kept confidential. Please complete the survey no later than Friday, June 12, 2026.
Click on the link below to access the survey. Please select your language by clicking on the appropriate language in the drop down provided.
Read more and take the survey here.
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Landscaping takes shape at new shelter site
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC
Until now, most of the work being done at the new Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) shelter location has been focused on the interior of the building.
Recently, the county’s Facilities Management Division (FMD) worked with a local landscaping company to revitalize the exterior landscaping, opening multiple parking spaces, public walkways, and an entry point to the nearby Green River Trail that had been overrun by weeds and overgrown trees.
When the new facility officially opens, the public will be able to park their cars onsite, adopt a pet, and then access the trail to walk their new furry family member. King County is working hard to ensure that this shelter not only benefits RASKC visitors, but also the local community.
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Plan ahead for check payments during World Cup events
Crossposted from the DES Express
Due to heightened security measures in downtown Seattle during the World Cup matches in June and July, vehicle and pedestrian access to buildings near Lumen Field – including King Street Center – will be significantly restricted. Even on non-match days, expect large crowds and extra traffic that will make travel through the area difficult.
To ensure you receive timely check payments during the event, the Payables Team highly recommends minimizing or eliminating your need to pick up checks.
For employees who still wish to pick up checks in person, please note the Customer Service Center pickup dates will shift to the Tuesday closest to each match date.
Employee News 