Megan Clarke, new King County CIO, featured in Government Technology
Megan Clarke, former Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the city of Burbank, CA, took over King County’s IT Department in January. The announcement was recenlty featured in Government Technology. Prior to joining King County, she worked as a CIO for Stanford University, the University of Southern California, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Read more.
Executive Constantine launches Re+, reinventing the region’s waste system to cut carbon emissions, transition to a sustainable economy
King County is launching a new initiative, Re+, to return valuable materials to the economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions created by the region’s waste system. Re+ aims to recover nearly 70% of materials that are currently being sent to the landfill that could avoid becoming waste in the first place by being reused, recycled, or composted. Re+ will advance a goal in King County’s 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan to cut countywide greenhouse gas emissions in half by the end of the decade. To watch the video and read more. click here.
Honoring the legacy of Judge Patricia H. Clark
Judge Patricia H. Clark was a strong advocate for youth involved in the justice system. As a commissioner for King County Superior Court, Judge Clark handled many cases involving at-risk youth and children in need of services, also known as ARY and CHINS cases. In 1998, she joined the Superior Court bench, where she continued to serve until her retirement in 2013. During her tenure, Judge Clark left her mark on Juvenile Court, including stints as chief juvenile judge and chief advocate. As mentioned in a 2019 story by Superior Court: “[Clark]… Read More
Executive Constantine announces $52 million in funding for open space preservation projects
Multiple projects throughout King County will receive a combined $52 million in open space preservation funding after a plan proposed by Executive Constantine has been approved by the King County Council. The money will fund 36 projects that will increase access to greenspace and parks in underserved communities, acquire land for habitat restoration, protect tree canopy, and strengthen the local food system. Read more.
Groundbreaking on new trail bridge across the White River
A new 572-foot-long weathered steel bridge will cross the White River, connecting completed segments of the Foothills Trail at the King-Pierce county line. The project will connect residents, business districts, and civic centers to a 22-mile trail that offers scenic views of Mount Rainier. Read more.
Nominations are now open for the Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards
The Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards recognize individual employees and workgroups whose innovations and improvements are delivering excellence for our customers, our organization, and our region. This year, the awards will honor Executive branch employees and teams for their exceptional contributions in leadership, innovation, and Lean maturity in the past 12 months. There are three award categories: Innovation Awards: People, Cost, Service, Equity and Social Justice, Climate and Environmental Stewardship Leadership Excellence Awards: People Leader, Individual Contributor, Fred Jarrett Award Road to Excellence Awards: Divisions that achieve Stabilization Level or higher on all categories of the Lean Maturity… Read More
Top 22 accomplishments of 2022
From connecting people with affordable housing to building a new plan to address the behavioral health crisis to providing free transit for young people to putting battery-electric buses on the road, we’ve made big progress this year. Read all about the Top 22 accomplishments of 2022 from Executive Constantine here.
Restored upstream salmon habitat begins a decade of projects to open streams and rivers
Executive Dow Constantine recently announced significant gains this year by King County to restore access to high-quality salmon habitat, and that the county will soon embark upon a decade of projects to reopen at least 50% of the stream habitat currently blocked by county-owned roads and trails. The team of experts guiding King County’s Fish Passage Restoration Program estimates that by 2032 these projects will allow access for native salmon to freely swim to more than 250 stream miles. Read more and watch the video.
Executive Constantine proclaims ‘Terry White Day’ for retiring Metro General Manager
In celebration of the retirement of King County Metro General Manager Terry White, King County Executive Dow Constantine declared Dec. 12, 2022, as “Terry White Day” in King County. White was recognized by the County Executive for understanding the power of transit to “help build healthy communities, a thriving economy and a sustainable environment.” Read more.
King County celebrates refugee resettlement efforts in the region
Today, King County Deputy Executive April Putney, alongside the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and the City of Redmond celebrated the short-term refugee resettlement program for individuals and families coming to the region and the nearly 800 new neighbors who benefitted from the program. Read more.
