King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission seeks new members
The King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission (KCIRC) is seeking dedicated individuals who bring a strong commitment to supporting immigrant and refugee communities to fill five open positions on the commission. The application is open until April 30, 2026.
“Now more than ever, it’s critical that local leaders are hearing directly from immigrant and refugee communities about their needs and challenges so we can work together on solutions,” said Executive Girmay Zahilay. “The King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission plays an important role in shaping policy and outreach at the county. A representative from KCIRC also sits on my Welcoming County subcabinet to strengthen our local protections for immigrant and refugee neighbors, ensuring we are uplifting the voices of those most impacted.” Read more.
Share this:
Sea26: Metro is here to support your Seattle soccer summer
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Seattle is going to be part of one of the largest sporting events in the world, with hundreds of thousands of soccer fans coming from every corner of the earth to cheer for their favorite teams and players.
King County Metro has a vital role in getting people to the Seattle Soccer Stadium for this international tournament. We’ve been actively preparing over the last 18 months to meet the moment. Strong coordination is critical for an event of this scale.
Metro will be boosting bus and water taxi service and adding special downtown shuttles so we can continue to be your top choice for riding to work, shopping, medical appointments and other big events such as Mariners baseball and Ed Sheeran! We’ll post new Metro Matters blogs to help you navigate Seattle’s Soccer Summer—along with other useful tips. Read more.
Share this:
Balanced You attends the Healthy Worksite Summit
The Healthy Worksite Summit, hosted by the Association of WA Cities, is the Northwest’s premier training event dedicated to making workplaces healthy places. Attendees represent both large and small organizations from the public and private sectors.
The Balanced You team has attended the Healthy Worksite Summit for several years as participants and speakers. This year, Karla Clark, Employee Health and Well-Being Project/Program Manager III, who has served on the Summit’s planning committee for three years, partnered with Junelle Kroontje, Employee Social Impact and Well-being Manager, and Leslie Monteiro, Wellness Program Manager at King County Metro to lead a session on how to design wellness programs that work. Karla and Leslie also co-hosted a session entitled “Collaboration between large and small departments.”
The Balanced You team’s presence at the Summit reflects their commitment to workplace well‑being and their dedication to ongoing learning. By contributing as presenters, planners, and participants, they help shape — and continue to learn from — a regional conversation about effective, equitable well‑being programs. As the Summit continues to bring together leaders and learners from across sectors, Balanced You remains dedicated to advancing strategies that make healthier workplaces not just an aspiration, but a shared reality.
Pictured: From left to right, Junelle Kroontje, Employee Social Impact and Well-being Manager; Karla Clarke, Certified Wellness Practitioner and Employee Health and Well-Being Project/Program Manager III; Elaine Weigelt, Employee Wellness Program Manager; Megan Jourdan, Certified Wellness Practitioner and King County Balanced You Project Manager.
Share this:
Let the world class KCSO Motorcycle Unit take you for a spin
“One of the unique things about being assigned to motors is the opportunities we have to get out and ride eight feet away from the President’s limo as we’re cruising down I-5, or be asked to split the crowd for the Blue Angel pilots to get from their hotel to their planes to go and fly in Seafair,” said Sergeant Derek Jones, KCSO Motorcycle Unit.
“There’s so many unique opportunities that we have to get in and get involved.”
See for yourself in the video below.
Share this:
Additional discounts to Kraken hockey games
Additional discounted games in April are now available for King County employees to attend. Purchase tickets here.
- Thursday, April 2: Seattle vs Utah Mammoth
- Saturday, April 4: Seattle vs Chicago Blackhawks
- Thursday, April 9: Seattle vs Vegas Knights. Mariners night! The Seattle Kraken have collaborated with the Seattle Mariners to create the first ever Mariners Night at Climate Pledge Arena! Come help us Defend the Deep and show your love for Seattle Sports as we take on the Vegas Golden Knights on April 9.
- Saturday, April 11: Seattle vs Calgary
- Monday, April 13: Seattle vs Los Angeles Kings. Seattle Kraken Fan Appreciation Night. Every fan will go home with a limited-edition cooler backpack!
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.
Share this:
WSDOT e-bike rebate program is back
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has relaunched WE-bike, an instant rebate program that helps Washington residents purchase certain cycling equipment and electric bicycles, also called e-bikes. As of March 30, people across the state are able to apply online for one of these instant rebates.
The program will randomly select applicants monthly starting April 13, 2026 through March 29, 2027. Applicants only need to submit one application to be considered for the monthly selections. This grant program is entirely funded through Climate Commitment Act revenues and is available for instant rebates of either $300 or $1,200 per person, depending on income qualifications.
Visit the dedicated WE-Bike Program website for more information and to apply. For questions about the WSDOT e-bike incentive program or the application process, visit wsdot.wa.gov, email EBikesWSDOT@aptim.com, or call 1-833-909-4222.
For more information about this program and other Employee Transportation Program options, visit kingcounty.gov/ETP.
Share this:
Meet the SCOPE Team, connecting services directly to your community
The Supportive Community Outreach, Programs and Engagement (SCOPE) is a multifunctional customer service team within the Department of Community and Human Services that provides centralized information and resource referrals, making it easier for residents of King County to access the services they need.
The SCOPE team aim to help residents connect to resources, navigate services, or bridge short-term financial gaps.
“In addition to running our customer service center, the SCOPE team is out in community hosting a series of resource events, holding presentations, and gathering feedback from human services providers and community members to help us understand service gaps in the community,” explained Enedelia Nicholson, SCOPE Center Manager. “We then work as a team to address them and discuss how we can close the gaps and help our community with the needs that they have.”
The SCOPE Team is hosting a series of Community Resource Events across King County to help connect King County residents with the critical programs and services they need to thrive. Join us to connect with local organizations and services funded through the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL).
The next Community Resource Event will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, 5011 Bernie Whitebear Way, Seattle, WA 98199. Register here. Download a shareable flyer here.
King County residents can receive individual support by connecting with the SCOPE team through phone (206-809-7115), chat, or in-person appointments.
Share this:
Executive connects with youth at King County youth detention facility
Last Friday, Executive Zahilay visited the youth detention facility at the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center alongside staff, to connect with youth through basketball, conversation, and arts activities. A powerful portion of the visit included a musical performance by a young man who was aging out of the facility and preparing to transition to adult custody. The visit reflects the Executive’s commitment to staying connected to young people in county custody and building systems that prioritize rehabilitation, so that the hardest moments in a young person’s life do not determine the rest of it.
Share this:
Executive Zahilay Transmits $394 Million Supplemental Budget to King County Council
Today King County Executive Girmay Zahilay transmitted a $394 million supplemental budget to the King County Council. This proposal will amend the 2026-2027 budget adopted in November.
The package responds to urgent community needs and advances the administration’s priorities including keeping residents safe, expanding access to affordable housing and critical services, strengthening county infrastructure, and building a more accountable and efficient county government.
“Every dollar in this budget is a commitment to the people of King County,” said Executive Zahilay. “From keeping our communities safe during a historic World Cup, to making sure families have a roof over their head, to standing with our immigrant and refugee neighbors who deserve to live without fear, to delivering a government that is more present, more accountable, and more responsive than ever before. And we’re doing all of this while being responsible stewards of public dollars.” Read more.
Share this:
On the hunt for a hidden source of poop pollution
King County typically enjoys a reliable abundance of rainfall. And once it hits the ground, rainwater seeps into soil or runs along streets and parking lots, flowing into storm drains, and disappearing underground.
…Or does it?
In some parts of King County, stormwater can travel through miles of pipes, creeks, or both before finally emerging in lakes or the Puget Sound. During its journey, stormwater can mix with the E. coli bacteria found in poop from people, pets, and wildlife. Poop-contaminated water can threaten community health and close swim beaches and shellfish harvesting areas. Read more.
Employee News 