Best Starts for Kids gets started
Joined by members of the King County Council, Executive Dow Constantine signed Best Starts for Kids. The voter-approved levy will invest nearly $400 million in child and youth development across King County over the next six years. View the video below to watch the ceremonial bill signing.
From the Hip: Pat McLaughlin, King County Solid Waste Division Director
‘Book ‘em’, and they will come We are in the midst of collecting responses for the 2016 Employee Engagement Survey. I cannot express just how important it is for each and every one of us to complete this survey (I know I’ve already submitted mine). As King County Executive Dow Constantine has shown, your opinions directly influence the changes division, department, and county leadership implement to make your work life more enjoyable. The Solid Waste Division is no exception, and for the past four years we have used the results of the… Read More
Celebrating Latino/Latina Heritage Month in King County
King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed the month beginning September 15 “Latino/Latina Heritage Month in King County. “I urge all County residents to join me in celebrating the many contributions of people of Latino heritage to our community,” Executive Constantine said in his Proclamation. More than 55 million people of Latino/Latina ancestry live in the United States, with almost 200,000 calling King County home. You can read the Executive’s proclamation here (SharePoint).
Executive Unveils $11.3 Billion Proposed Budget
On Monday, King County Executive Dow Constantine transmitted his 2017-2018 proposed biennial budget to the Metropolitan King County Council. The proposed $11.3 billion, two-year budget invests in Metro Transit, human services, and other important programs that reflect the values of King County residents and again maintains costs below the rate of population and inflation. Find out more by watching the Executive’s address below or read more on the budget website.
Our new King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan 2016-2022
Many of us have thought about what more we can do to create a racially-just and inclusive King County and country. Many conditions in our county continue to become more inequitable with stark demarcations between the haves and the have-nots. At King County we are very proud to launch our first King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan. This Plan builds on much of the good work that we and our partners have been doing to advance equity in our region and pushes us to become more thoughtful, strategic and effective…. Read More
Executive Constantine celebrates West Point 50th birthday with employees
On Aug. 18, King County Executive Dow Constantine joined Christie True, Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, and Wastewater Treatment Division employees, former employees and retirees, to celebrate the West Point Treatment Plant’s 50th birthday. West Point, located next to Discovery Park in Seattle, has been helping protect Puget Sound for 50 years, and treats wastewater from homes and businesses in Seattle, Shoreline, north Lake Washington, north King County and parts of south Snohomish County. “We should be proud that we run such a clean sewage treatment plant that… Read More
Executive reaffirms commitment to immigrant and refugee services
Foreign-born residents face particular challenges upon arrival in the U.S., and King County employees have been easing the transition for immigrants and refugees in the area for nearly forty years. King County Executive Dow Constantine visited the Downtown Public Health Center in Belltown Thursday with members of the media to thank those County employees and to show examples of the important services King County provides to immigrants and refugees shortly after they arrive from Sea-Tac International Airport. In light of the national attention immigration is currently receiving, Executive Constantine wanted to showcase… Read More
Exec stops by to thank Pride Parade organizers
Employees across King County worked diligently to coordinate King County’s entry into the 2016 Seattle Pride Parade, and King County Executive Dow Constantine took some time to thank some of them for their efforts. On Monday, August 1, Executive Constantine dropped in on some of the planners to thank them for their work in coordinating King County’s presence in the parade, which more than 200 employees, family and friends participated in. He also encouraged the group to develop a “how to” manual which other motivated employees can use to ensure that the… Read More
Influential Individuals: Developing Lean leaders to transform our organization
Crossposted from Lean in King County Lean leaders aren’t always in a position of authority – but they are in a position to influence (as we all are to one degree or another). Regardless of their formal role, Lean leaders are trained to nurture continuous improvement through facilitation and coaching, which can positively impact and promote culture change. Employees trained in Lean leadership have learned the comprehensive elements of Lean and the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. Lean leaders can guide teams through improvement processes and teach them to use Lean tools to build… Read More
Executive appoints Alex Fryer as new communications director
King County Executive Dow Constantine has appointed Alex Fryer to serve as his new communications director, effective Aug. 1, 2016. Fryer has extensive background and experience in both public and private sector communications, most recently as Vice President of Public Affairs for The Fearey Group, a local media and government relations firm. “Alex Fryer’s exceptional knowledge and expertise in communications, and in community outreach and engagement, will help advance our work on equity and social justice, climate change, regional mobility, implementing our groundbreaking Best Starts for Kids initiative, and continuing to build… Read More
Employee News 