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

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.

Crossposted from Field Notes Farming in King County is becoming increasingly challenging. High land costs, labor constraints, and shifting market conditions continue to create real barriers for farmers and farm workers, making it harder to sustain and grow agricultural businesses across the region. To better understand these challenges and identify meaningful solutions, King County recently completed an Agriculture Sector Study. The study takes a closer look at the structural barriers facing the agricultural sector—from access to land and labor costs, employee housing, healthcare costs, and new market opportunities—and identifies recommendations to support… Read More

Crossposted from Tails from RASKC In early April, staff from Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) and the county’s Facilities Management Division (FMD) toured the future RASKC shelter location in Kent with 4Culture, King County’s cultural funding agency. 4Culture’s mission is to fund, support, and advocate for culture to enhance the quality of life in King County, with a focus on racial equity. The agency helps source artwork for King County’s capital projects through the “1% for Art” initiative, which mandates that all eligible county capital projects set aside 1% of the… Read More

Crossposted from Cultivating Connections Improving how our government works and ensuring public dollars are well spent is a top priority at King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). A recent report by the King County Auditor’s Office states that DCHS “made significant progress on audit recommendations, improving training and awareness” over the last several months as the department has implemented new policies and procedures. The work DCHS is doing will serve as a roadmap for the King County enterprise—ushering in a new era of accountability. Read more.

King County Elections will hold a candidate filing period for the elected member position on the King County Personnel Board. The candidate filing period will begin on Monday, May 4 at 8 a.m. and will end at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 8. There is a $5 non-refundable filing fee. The Personnel Board conducts hearings on appeals of certain personnel actions as provided for in Section 540 of the King County Charter. The Personnel Board consists of five members, four of whom are appointed, and one member elected by county career service employees. The… Read More

Crossposted from GIS & You Sometimes the best reminder of why GIS matters comes from seeing it through fresh eyes. Recently, an energetic 8th grader with a real passion for maps and geography visited the King County GIS Center with his mom for a lunchtime learning adventure. His excitement, curiosity, and thoughtful questions made it a memorable visit with Fred Lott and the GIS Center staff. It was inspiring to see him realize just how much of daily life GIS quietly shapes. We’re happy to share his story here on the GIS… Read More

Residents in King County who were affected by the historic December 2025 flooding may now qualify for federal disaster assistance under Federal Emergency Management Administration’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program.   After the flooding, Washington requested federal disaster declarations to help individuals affected by the atmospheric river flooding, as well as to help public entities repair infrastructure and partially reimburse their response efforts. The application deadline is June 10, 2026.  From April 28 to June 10, King County will operate a Disaster Recovery Center for people who would like in-person assistance with their FEMA application. It is located at the King County Elections Office, 919… Read More

Crossposted from Field Notes King County Executive Girmay Zahilay recently announced that King County Parks has entered an agreement to purchase Skway Park Bowl as the location for Skyway’s first community center. The 3.82-acre property is adjacent to the northwest corner of the park. King County Parks will continue to work with community partners to collect public input on the design for the new community center and which programs it will offer. The location was selected based on strong community preference and the approval of an advisory committee. “For more than a decade, Skyway neighbors… Read More