One year later, West Point’s battery system proves its power
One year after activating the first-of-its-kind battery power system at West Point Treatment Plant, operators say it’s exceeded expectations — keeping critical systems online during 78 power disruptions and protecting Puget Sound from potential overflows.
The onsite battery power system – which has won multiple engineering awards – kept critical pumps operating during 78 power disruptions, preventing untreated wastewater from being discharged into Puget Sound. There were 15 instances when pumps were powered exclusively by the 2,000 batteries housed in a new 24,000-square-foot structure.
It is among dozens of improvements we’ve made in recent years to make the Puget Sound region’s largest treatment plant safer, more reliable, and more resilient to climate impacts.
“What began as an award-winning engineering marvel is now an operational success,” said Executive Braddock. “The onsite battery system we installed at West Point Treatment Plant is delivering exactly what we promised: providing reliable power that protects Puget Sound, even when our region experiences catastrophic weather events.”
Click on the image to watch a video about how the battery backup passes its first-year test.
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Ask the Tox Doc: How can I protect myself from harmful chemicals?
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
We come in contact with a lot of chemicals in our daily lives, including the products we use to shower, the food we eat, and the air we breathe during our commutes. Not all chemicals are bad for people, but some can seriously hurt our health. Things like lead, formaldehyde, PFAS, and phthalates have health impacts ranging from allergic reactions and cancer to harm to brain development and the reproductive system.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by this, but there are many things that people can do individually, at low or no cost, to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals. I got top tips from Dr. Shirlee Tan, Senior Toxicologist at Public Health, on how we can protect ourselves from harmful chemicals. Read more.
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‘They have enormous hearts:’ Water Taxi crew helps person in distress
Crossposted from The Captain’s Blog
The crew of the King County Water Taxi Sally Fox saw the person on the Seacrest Dock in West Seattle as they were preparing to finish their trip across Elliott Bay on March 16.
As they boarded passengers for the late morning trip back to downtown Seattle, Deckhand Zack Klaja noticed a person standing on the opposite side of the guardrail at the dock.
Klaja made Captain GW Rogers aware that something was out of the norm. “When you’re the deckhand that’s grabbing the first line you have a commanding view of the dock and this person was not where a typical passenger would stand to board.”
“Zack called me on the radio and asked, ‘are you seeing what I’m seeing?’” Rogers said. Read more.
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Executive Braddock proposes continuation of local behavioral health sales tax for mental health, substance use care
Today, Executive Braddock announced her proposal to renew MIDD, a local 0.1% behavioral health tax that funds vital mental health and substance use treatment. In 2025, MIDD is estimated to generate $97 million for programs that support health, wellness, recovery, and connection to community for people throughout King County.
For nearly two decades, MIDD has helped bolster treatment and crisis response programs that have experienced years of divestment at the federal and state levels, providing services to many low-income residents who lack access to care or who do not qualify for Medicaid.
“At a time when the federal government is slashing social safety net services for those most in need and enacting the largest program cuts in decades, King County remains committed to maintaining investments that provide access to vital mental health and substance use treatment and services,” said Executive Braddock. “Renewing MIDD ensures that adults, children, and families can continue to receive the behavioral health care they need from a robust workforce that can deliver those services.” Read more.
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Green Diesel Pilot receives BRG Innovation award for Climate and Environmental Stewardship
The Green Diesel Pilot Project has received the 2024 Best-Run Government (BRG) Innovation Award for Climate and Environmental Stewardship. Congratulations to the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP), Solid Waste Division (SWD), Green Diesel Pilot Project team, and all their partners for their commitment to Best-Run Government. A special thank you to Jamey Barker, Scott Barden, James Gentili, and Anthony Slaughter.
The Innovation Award for Climate and Environmental Stewardship recognizes workgroups and teams that have made progress in advancing the goals of King County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan and/or protecting and restoring clean water and health habitat. “The Solid Waste Division’s Operations employees came together to promote and test alternatives to conventional diesel, helping the division meet its alternative fuel usage goals, and reducing greenhouse emission by 60 percent,” says Jamey Barker, Supervising Engineer.
The Green Diesel Pilot Project tested the use of renewable green diesel in SWD vehicles and proved that it is a viable alternative to conventional diesel. As a result, SWD is now using green diesel in place of conventional diesel – helping to reduce greenhouse emissions and improve air quality in communities near Solid Waste facilities and along equipment travel routes.
Marissa Aho, Director of King County’s Executive Climate Office, presented the BRG Innovation Award for Climate and Environmental Stewardship to the Green Diesel Pilot Project. “The pilot is a win in so many ways,” says Aho. “The project reduced emissions in a way that’s equivalent to taking more than 1500 passenger vehicles off the road. There was strong coordination with partners and buy-in from people who were initially skeptical, and the project made changes easy for drivers and mechanics to adopt.”
“Congratulations to the Green Diesel Pilot Project team,” says DNRP Director John Taylor. “The project strongly reflects King County’s True North and values of solving problems, being responsible stewards, and – quite literally – driving for results with SWD vehicles. I’m impressed by the team’s commitment to tracking data to show real impact.”
“In terms of we are responsible stewards, I’m so proud of the valuable example that the Green Diesel Pilot Project has set for other government agencies and national organizations,” says SWD Director Rebecca Singer. “It could be duplicated within other communities and make a significant difference quickly.”
Congratulations again to the Green Diesel Pilot Project! Look for more updates on the project’s successes.
To learn more about the BRG Awards and to watch a video presentation that introduces all the 2024 award recipients, visit the Best-Run Government Awards webpage.
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House Bill 1270, allowing for automatic deferred compensation enrollment, championed by King County employees
Effective August 2025, new King County employees, along with other new county, municipal, and political subdivision employees throughout Washington, can be automatically enrolled in the deferred compensation savings plan. This makes Washington one of only 10 states to have automatic enrollment allowed for all public sector plans.
“Our public employees work extremely hard and we appreciate their service,” said Governor Bob Ferguson. “This bill makes it easier for them to access their employer’s retirement plan without additional steps or paperwork.”
“And I am honored to sign it into law,” he added.
Pictured: Governor Bob Ferguson, center, stands with members of the King County Employees Deferred Compensation Plan Board, including Board Administrator O.C. Collier, second from right, and Board Chair Sherry Stroud, far right.
This successful legislation, signed by the Governor on April 24, 2025, has been advocated largely by Osceola “O.C.” Collier, King County Employees Deferred Compensation Plan Board Administrator. She has been working with King County leadership and collaborating to implement auto enrollment for WA State. There was previously no state legislation allowing auto enrollment of new employees in the employer’s deferred compensation plan.
“With inflation rising and Social Security’s future uncertain, planning for retirement matters more than ever,” O.C. said. “Washington’s new HB 1270 helps by allowing automatic enrollment into deferred compensation plans for government employees – making it easier to save for the future.”
Much of the language within HB 1270 was provided by King County, because the county was already working a legislative change for automatic enrollment for all new employees. O.C. was able to be part of a joint effort between King County, the City of Seattle, and the Washington Department of Retirement Systems to successfully update the language to include all Washington State government agencies. She also worked with multiple groups, including the Office of Labor Relations and several unions, to get auto enrollment for represented employees.
“Getting this legislation changed has been a long-time goal for me and I am ecstatic that it is finally done,” she said.
Until the passing of HB 1270, King County was only able to offer employees optional deferred compensation plan enrollment. Now new employees can be auto enrolled when hired, with the opportunity to take advantage of a supplemental retirement plan upon retiring and an option to opt out if they choose. Also depending on their situation, the plan allows for loans and hardship withdrawals if possible.
“This bill supports our efforts to ensure all employees have an opportunity for a supplemental retirement savings to build financial and generational wealth through the Deferred Compensation Plan with King County”, said Sherry Stroud, Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations Section Manager within the Department of Human Resources (DHR) and Chair of the Deferred Compensation Plan at King County.
As such a major statewide accomplishment, this work was recognized by the National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators (NAGDCA) and is being submitted for presidential award recipient.
To view the formal signing of House Bill 1270, view the official recording here.
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Exclusive savings through TicketsatWork, summer escape
King County employees get access to exclusive discounts and deals through ticketsatwork.com.
Book your summer escape. Enjoy up to 60% off hotel reservations at over 225,000 properties worldwide. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a dream vacation, let your next adventure begin. Learn more here.
TicketsatWork is updated daily with seasonal offers and exclusive savings on everything from home entertainment to your everyday needs. Visit ticketsatwork.com/tickets and use the company code KingCounty to begin receiving discounts and extra special offers on your go-to brands and most-loved experiences, including brand new offers on cruises, just in time for spring travel.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.
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Digital Accessibility (ADA) Training now available in NEOGOV
KCIT is pleased to offer Digital Accessibility (ADA) Training in NEOGOV. These 55 on-demand learning modules were developed by Deque University, an industry leader for technical accessibility training. Courses discuss how to use accessibility tools in a wide range of common King County software applications such as Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, Excel, and more.
These courses are available to all King County employees in NEOGOV through March 2026; content can be accessed for a one-time fee of $14 (usually $300). Contact KCIT’s EIB Manager, Jennifer Broadus, for details. Digital accessibility is crucial to ensure everyone can access vital online information and services. This initiative aligns with our True North: making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive regardless of visual, auditory, motor, cognitive, and speech impairments.
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Hiking safety with Emery the Emergency Penguin
It’s a beautiful summer here in King County! But before you hit the trail, watch this brand-new hiking safety video featuring Emery the Emergency Penguin (KCIT’s 911 mascot) and King County Search and Rescue teams. Learn the three rules of hiking, and how to contact 911 if you’re stranded or lost in the wilderness. Have fun, and stay safe out there!
“That was exciting! Emery is a smart penguin – I’m glad he knew how to help his friend.” Norah Bjore, age 9
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Monitoring in action: Behind the numbers, how Best Starts for Kids uses data to build community impact
Priscilla de Andrade, with the King County Office of Performance, Strategy, and Budget, recently spoke with Anne McNair and Kelly Lovett, co-leads of the Best Starts for Kids evaluation team, to explore how data, collaboration, and continuous learning are supporting over 400 community-based organizations and advancing equitable outcomes for children, youth, and families across King County.
Their conversation, in this blog post, highlights how Best Starts is using Results-Based Accountability and community-centered evaluation practices to ensure programs are meaningful, effective, and grounded in partnership.
Read the full story here, and explore past blog posts in the Monitoring in Action section on the Best-Run Government (BRG) Monitoring website.
Employee News 