Budget cuts are unavoidable after state’s failure to fix broken county tax system
In recent days you may have seen news reports that the state legislature failed to take legislative action to address the state’s arbitrary and outdated one percent limit on property tax collections, which is the largest source of revenue for the County’s General Fund. For many years I, along with Councilmembers and other county leaders and employees, have advocated for a change to the one percent cap. Since its introduction in 2001, King County’s population has grown 30% and consumer prices have increased 70%. Inflation in recent years has been as high… Read More
Tim Anderson charting the future with Animal Services
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express Tim Anderson recenlty began in a new official role as Assistant Operations Manager of Regional Animal Services (RASKC). The position expands Anderson’s supervisory role to include all of RASKC, adding veterinary clinic support and pet licensing. “We’re extremely fortunate to have someone of Tim’s caliber to be one of the applicants and be successful,” said RASKC manager Gene Mueller. “He’s one of the best managers I’ve ever worked with in 30 years.” Read more.
Executive Constantine tours major Cedar River restoration project
King County Executive Dow Constantine toured a recently completed project that restored a nearly mile-long segment of the Cedar River to a more natural state, simultaneously improving salmon habitat and reducing flood risks for people, homes, and infrastructure. The Riverbend project restored 52 acres of floodplain east of Renton while creating side channels that provide slow-water, shallow habitat that is ideal for native salmon. It builds on the progress King County and partners made upstream with the successful Rainbow Bend restoration project that was completed in 2013. Read more here and watch the… Read More
BECU home loan discount for King County employees
King County employees who join BECU (Boeng Employees Credit Union) are eligible for home loan discounts through June 30, 2023. Members receive competitive rates, credits on closing costs, and savings on fees. To learn more, click here. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
KCSO Search and Rescue Team assists in finding missing pilot
From the Sheriff’s newsletter KCSO’s Detective Ed Christian and his Search and Rescue Team assisted the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) State Aeronautics Division in locating a pilot and his plane after they disappeared off radar a month ago. See the full story here.
What you can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Cross-posted from Keeping King County Green A recent first-of-its-kind study led by King County shows greenhouse gas emissions per person decreased. We are all doing more to protect the environment. But total emissions increased, in part, because more people moved here. To read more and watch a video about what you can do to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, click here.
What did it take to become a female operator at a King County wastewater treatment plant?
Cross posted from Clean Water Stories Pam Restovic made history as a woman in the trades, working as a wastewater operator in the early days of the Clean Water Act. This law set new regulations to protect our nation’s waters from pollution and created new jobs across the country. Like many women at the time, Pam didn’t envision this career path. She grew up in Santiago, Chile and immigrated to the U.S. for school at age 20. After graduating from college, she was working as a waitress when a customer who worked in… Read More
Metro welcomes new Transit Police Chief Todd Morrell
Cross-posted from Metro Matters Todd Morrell has been selected as the new Chief for the Metro Transit Police following a competitive recruitment process. Morrell boasts more than 25 years of experience in law enforcement. As an ardent supporter of transit, Morrell recognizes how vital the role mobility plays in helping our communities succeed and thrive. Read more.
Sheriff’s deputies attend Skyway community Easter event
From the Sheriff’s Newsletter The King County Sheriff’s Office hopped into the Skyway Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) Easter Egg Party recently. The deputies celebrated with 75 young Skyway residents and their families. The VFW provided cookie decorating, arts and crafts, lunch, lemonade, and a huge Easter Egg hunt for the children. Eggs were filled with sweet treats and tickets for prizes, and the spring showers didn’t dampen spirits with the hunt being held indoors. Children and their families left with full stomachs, stuffed Easter bags, and smiles all around.
Innovative foster program helps kittens and youth
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express Barbara Ramey, a Communications Specialist for Executive Services, posted a first-person account about her visit to Echo Glen Children’s Center to see a volunteer program for Regional Animal Services of King County up close. Echo Glen is a detention center for juvenile felons run by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The idea behind the program is to give the young people skills they need to make different choices. “The kids respond very well to the kittens,” the story states. Read more.
Employee News 