Kudos! Awesome Metro driver makes sure child gets home safe

This appreciative parent submitted a commendation for Bonita Johnson, a King County Metro driver who went the extra mile to make sure all her passengers, including this young man, got home safe. This parent says: Hello, I am writing to let you know about the excellent customer service my son and I received by one of your drivers. My 12 year old missed his stop and became lost. The driver let him use her phone and when she got to the end of the bus line kept him with her and brought… Read More

RASKC on Univision: Adopting a pet (story no. 4)

Crossposted from Tails from RASKC This is the fourth of nine segments which Univision Seattle, KUNS Channel 51, is proudly airing on Wednesdays at 6pm and 11pm. This segment is focused on adopting a pet. Learn more about RASKC’s stories on Univision. For more information: About RASKC featured stories on Univision Watch RASKC on Univision: Saving lives (story no.1) Watch RASKC on Univision: Pet licensing (story no.2) Watch RASKC on Univision: Pet disaster preparedness (story no. 3) Read more at Tails from RASKC

Tech Tip: What’s in a name: Skype, Skype for Business and Lync

King County uses a Unified Communications system (UC) for internal and external communications.  It replaced the old telephony system. (yes, that’s a word. “Telephony is the technology associated with the electronic transmission of voice, fax, or other information between distant parties using systems historically associated with the telephone, a handheld device containing both a speaker or transmitter and a receiver.”) To provide clarity: Skype is the Microsoft consumer version for personal communications you use (for free or a small fee) to communicate with people. “Skype for Business” is Microsoft business version that… Read More

Developmental Disabilities and Behavioral Health Legislative Forums

We have two upcoming legislative forums to identify legislative priorities for the coming year. Developmental Disabilities Legislative Forum – The King County Board for Developmental Disabilities’ 27th annual Legislative Forum will take place on Monday, Nov. 21 at the DoubleTree Suites in Tukwila. This event is hosted by the King County Parent Coalition, a program of The Arc of King County. The King County Board for Developmental Disabilities will present the 2017 legislative agenda, focusing on issues important to the developmental disabilities system. Monday, November 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree Suites, 16500… Read More

A summer intern tells all

Crossposted from Lean in King County This summer, after completing the first year of my MPA program at UW’s Evans School, I joined King County’s Performance, Strategy, and Budget Office (PSB) as a Line of Business (LoB) Intern. I wanted to learn about the county, get more connected to the region, and apply my Evans coursework in a meaningful way. I’ve learned a great deal about my own strengths in graphic design and communication, about King County’s Lean management system, and about the way King County agencies collaborate and operate. I had… Read More

Third annual free health clinic in Seattle/King County a success

KOMO news reported on how more than 900 individuals received free medical care at the clinic, which was held at KeyArena Thursday, October 27 through Sunday, October 30. The clinic relied on over 1,000 volunteers to provide free dental, vision and medical care for almost 4,000 people. Read more about this successful event in the article Massive effort to provide free health care gets underway at KeyArena, including a quote from King County Executive Dow Constantine. Image courtesy of KOMO news

The Annual Employee Giving Drive: Outdoors Nonprofits

The County’s 2016 Annual Employee Giving Drive is now past the halfway point, and this year’s goal is to raise $1.82 million. King County employees have donated $561,762.41 so far, bringing the drive to 31% of our goal! This week, we’re featuring four nonprofits serving King County’s great outdoors, and each is eligible to receive donations through the Employee Giving Program! Seattle Parks Foundation (2739) 105 S Main St, Ste 235 Seattle, WA 98104 – Seattle Parks Foundation works with volunteers, donors and community leaders to build and sustain a thriving, accessible,… Read More

From the Hip: Julie Wise, Director of Elections

Why you shouldn’t only vote this November I know for many of you it feels like this election has been going on forever, but here at King County Elections we’ve actually been preparing for years. For this election we will – Process about 100,000 additional voter registrations Send out nearly 1.3 million ballots to King County voters Field more than 27,000 phone calls from voters Count more than a million ballots At our headquarters in Renton we’ll have countless tour groups, party observers and media visitors. On Election Day, we’ll have more… Read More

Celebrating 105 years of combined service- and no regrets

Al Viray, Al Williamson, and Bryon Fauchald recently received a 35-year service award, as well as lunch with acting Wastewater Treatment Division Director Gunars Sreibers and Department of Natural Resources and Parks Director Christie True, to celebrate each employee and his incredible commitment to wastewater services for our region. Thank you to all three for their dedication to King County! On December 1, 1981 three men, Al Viray, Al Williamson, and Bryon Fauchald, reported for their first day of work at the West Point Treatment plant in Discovery Park. At that time,… Read More

Reminder: 2017 Benefits Open Enrollment November 1-15

Open Enrollment for your 2017 King County benefits began Tuesday, November 1. This is your opportunity to evaluate your benefit choices and select the right options for you and your family for next year. Learn about your 2017 benefits Our comprehensive benefits package takes good care of the people who take care of King County—by promoting your continued health, financial security, and peace of mind. Use the following resources to learn about your benefits—and what’s changing for next year:  Open Enrollment mailer sent to your home King County Open Enrollment website Recorded phone… Read More