Making Life Easier: Quick support when you need it
Are you feeling overwhelmed by stress and crunched for time? You’re not alone. Many of us juggle busy schedules and competing demands, leaving little room to pause and recharge. Making Life Easier (MLE) offers free, easy-to-access resources designed to support you and your household members in the moment, without fuss. Learn more.
Too far to just bike? Bike + Transit: The perfect pair for Bike Everywhere month
Crossposted from Metro Matters It’s beautiful weather and you want to want to go someplace fun, but is it too far to go by your trusty bike? We’ve got a solution: combine transit and your bike, it’s easy, cheap and super convenient! Between bus bike racks and lockers, we’ve got you covered. May is Bike Everywhere Month, and that makes it a great time to try pairing your bike with transit to give you the ultimate, flexible ride or commute. As the sun comes out this spring, check out a few ways you… Read More
Transitioning to our new GIS Open Data services
Crossposted from GIS & You As part of the GIS Center’s on-going data modernization efforts, we launched our renewed GIS Open Data site at the beginning of 2026. It’s got a fresh new look that matches the style of kingcounty.gov and it’s been simplified to help you find and use our data as quickly as possible. Additionally, the hosted Feature Services that provide the data are now hosted in ArcGIS Online instead of our on-prem ArcGIS Server. This allows us to provide you with the performance, availability, and reliability you’ve come to expect from ESRI’s map, app, and data services. Read more.
It’s a slam-dunk!
Crossposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office Employee newsletter On Sunday, April 19, Precinct 5 played its fourth competitive scrimmage matchup against the Shoreline Special Olympics Basketball Team. Led by Team Captain King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Deputy Daniel Schettler, Kenmore Police Chief Brandon Moen, Maple Valley Police Chief Tommy Collins, Sound Transit K-9 Officers Carlos Jurado and Ryan Fenton, Mental Health Professionals (MHP) Adam Foley and John Streimikes, and others. Precinct 5 secured a 45–36 victory, tying the scrimmage series at two games apiece. Team Captain Deputy Schettler captured it best, saying “These games… Read More
KCSO in the news
Crossposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office Employee newsletter During a recent drone training class, KOMO TV reporter Jeremy Harris received an exclusive look and interview with the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) drone team as they train and prep for the 2026 World Cup. Watch the video below and see how this technology will be used when the games begin in June.
Executive Zahilay announces leadership transition at Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Crossposted from Field Notes King County Executive Girmay Zahilay today announced that John Taylor, director of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, has accepted an appointment as the new CEO of the Cascade Water Alliance, a partner organization that contributes to safe, clean, reliable water supply in the Central Puget Sound region. The department completed major projects during Taylor’s tenure, including King County’s largest-ever floodplain restoration project, a unique onsite battery system that provides reliable power to West Point Treatment Plant, and the renewal of the King County Parks Levy. Read more.
Thanking employees during Public Service Recognition Week
Dear team, As King County Executive, one thing I enjoy is getting out to Be in Community, meeting with teams at worksites across King County and thanking you all for the work you do. It’s one way I get to know more about you, your work, learn about your innovation, and learn of obstacles I can help remove. This week, as part of Public Service Recognition Week, I’ll be visiting employees at our 9-1-1 Communications Center in Renton to connect with the team, hear and learn from them, and thank them for the critical… Read More
Help shape affordable housing in unincorporated King County
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections Want to learn how King County can create more affordable housing in unincorporated communities? We’re exploring three policy tools that could improve housing affordability and stability — and we want your input. Multifamily Housing Tax Exemption (MFTE): A program that lowers property taxes for housing developers that include affordable homes. It can apply to housing like townhomes and condos. State law now allows MFTE in parts of unincorporated King County. Inclusionary Housing: A policy that creates affordable homes as new housing is built. It can be voluntary or required. In the workshops,… Read More
2026 Professional Development Scholarship opens on June 1
On June 1, the Professional Development Scholarship Program will open to employees represented by one of the unions in the Coalition, in addition to non-represented employees. The Scholarship Program is designed to assist eligible employees with their professional development by providing financial assistance towards obtaining training, certificates, degrees, licenses, and certifications. The second application period for the 2026 Professional Development Scholarship Program opens June 1 through July 10, 2026, for training that begins in 2026. Applicants should visit the scholarship intranet site to familiarize themselves with the revised application submission process, rating criteria, and frequently asked questions…. Read More
KCSO celebrates National Library Week
Crossposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office Employee newsletter During National Library Week, held annually in April, Sheriff Cole-Tindall helped spark young imaginations at the Burien Library. She read “We Match,” by Chris Barton, a colorful story about dogs discovering math, to children and their families.
Employee News 