(Updated August 25, 2022)

The temporary subsidized parking program of half the employee cost of parking at the Goat Hill Parking Garage and King Street Center Garage will end Sept. 2, 2022.

Effective Sept. 3, 2022 the full daily rate of $20 will be in effect. Employees who wish to park for a full day at either of these garages will pay a $20 daily rate with their employee ID Card. You can find complete hourly rates here.

Employees who receive paid parking as provided in their collective bargaining agreements will continue to do so after this date, per the terms of the agreement.

Employees who would like to enroll in monthly parking should read and complete a King County Employee Parking Application. The agreement details all available options, as well as employee garage parking policies. Completed applications should be submitted to FMD Parking Operations (fmdpo@kingcounty.gov) for processing.

If you are currently enrolled as a subsidized monthly parker via payroll deduction and want to continue under the standard rates, you will need to re-apply for monthly parking access. All current deductions and parking access will expire on August 31. The parking application is available on SharePoint.

As a reminder, your employee ID/ORCA card covers your fare on public transportation services. See the Employee Transportation Program webpage for a current list of services that accept your employee ID/ORCA card as fare payment.

If you have any questions about employee parking, please visit this page. You may also contact FMD Parking Services at fmdpo@kingcounty.gov.

Commute programs available to King County employees

In addition to transit options available through the ID/ORCA Card, King County employees have a range of options for a safer commute, including:

• Walking Bus: With the “Walking Bus” pilot program, county employees can join their colleagues and a Facilities Management Division (FMD) Security Escort each evening walking to the King Street Station and the Colman Dock from the downtown campus. In this initial pilot phase, two dedicated security escorts will depart daily, Monday-Friday, from the King County Courthouse one to the King Street Station and one to the Colman Dock ferry terminal. To King Street Station – Depart 4th Avenue Entrance at 4:40 p.m. To Colman Dock – Depart 4th Avenue Entrance at 5:05 p.m. Learn more. 
• Walkpooling: Walkpools is a program where you can walk to and from work with a buddy. The program is available whether you walk long distances, walk early in the morning or late in the evening, or have to navigate transit stations. ​​​​​​​Check out our video or visit the Employee Transportation Program website for more information.
• VanPool: Join an existing group or start your own—five members gets you on the road! Everything is covered. Your monthly fare includes the van, gas, insurance, maintenance, roadside assistance, plus a guaranteed ride home. See how you can join a Vanpool.  
• VanShare: Vanshare is your first/last mile solution to getting to and from bus, ferry, commuter and light rail or vanpool—and for getting the last mile or so to your worksite or school destination from your transit stop. VanShares are placed at the end of a trip – e.g. for people getting off the Sounder who walk over to King Street Center garage and get into a Vanpool vehicle that takes them to their worksite. These can be set up with five or more people who want to travel together. This is the quickest solution to get started and King County covers the entire cost for King County employees, except parking. Learn more. 
• Goat Hill Garage Tunnel: For employees working in certain buildings, the tunnel from the Goat Hill Garage can be used to access the Chinook Building, the Administration Building, and the Courthouse, avoiding surface streets.

Staff in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ Solid Waste Division (SWD) have developed a new safety mechanism to add extra security measures for both employees and customers. The idea, developed by Algona transfer station employees and their supervisors, was installed on March 10.

Henry Dotson, an Operations Supervisor who has been with SWD for eight years, explains how everyone is committed to making changes that promote both efficiency and safety, and that the input of employees is essential when making operational changes.

“It is important so that employees know that they are being heard and that we take their input seriously,” he said.

The team deployed a modified 20-yard roll-off container to create a physical barrier between customers and employees, and the edge of the fall hazard area, limiting access to this security risk. As a continuous improvement measure, the employee suggestion is one of several being piloted to add more security for individuals at the transfer station. Initial reactions and opinions have been positive and well received by customers and employees.

“Safety and security for staff and customers is the top priority at the transfer stations and the landfill,” said Tyler Fogelberg, Operations Supervisor and a member of the team that supervises transfer stations, landfills and other SWD work groups. He has been with King County since 2018.

He explains how the team is proud to take on new challenges and recognize opportunities for improvement.

“If something is identified, we will jump into action as a team to handle the situation and ensure we are safe and secure moving forward,” he said.

Anthony Slaughter is a Cedar Hills Land Fill Shop Supervisor and has been with King County since 1991. He has a variety of duties that also include ensuring staff provide service to our customers at the transfer stations and Cedar Hills. The service provided includes repairs to equipment, fabrication to the station facilities and equipment, as well as servicing vehicles and equipment.

With safety, it is important to always be on the lookout for improvement, especially at the top load stations. They were built in the sixties and seventies and are still operating now in modern times.

Anthony explains that employees are the best resource for suggestions that will improve customer service and safety. In acting on employee feedback, it was a win-win for both the stations and staff.

“They spend a great amount of time at the station and observe as well as perform established processes related to their jobs, so they are in the best position to suggest a modification or best practice,” he said.

“Employees like to know they are being heard, and everyone needs to know they are valued, not just by words, but by actions.”

Henry shares how a need for further safety measures at the top load stations is what prompted this improvement.

“The team responded by first identifying what the most serious concerns were and how to adequately address them without creating drastic changes, then we solicited solution feedback,” he said.

This feedback resulted in a dialogue with safety contractors to offer ideas and propose potential solutions. Eventually a prototype model was settled on, discussed with employees, and finally installed.

“The prototype that we are implementing at top load stations are an important step in not only customer safety but employee safety as well,” Henry said. “Through vigorous conversation we have discovered additional safety related benefits.”

Henry adds that the next iteration of the prototype fall protection box design will feature gates that open for commercial haulers and be able to be easily moved for maintenance projects team accessibility.

Tyler shares how management appreciates working to solve these challenges together, building trust in addition to a safer environment. It is important to have direct employee involvement when making operational changes. These employees often have the direct experience needed to suggest safe and effective solutions.

“The employees always have insight that management may not have thought of,” he said. “It is good for moral for all the work groups when they know that management is listening before acting. We have witnessed this time and time again and understand it is an important part of the process.”

Henry also explains how an added benefit of such safety-conscious employees is customers who value the dedication to providing a secure and efficient experience. Working alongside employees in day-to-day operations, he frequently witnesses how they pursue safety and new process implementation.

“I enjoy the satisfaction seen on our customers faces when they realize that our employees take their profession and customer service seriously,” he said.

For more information about the King County transfer stations and the Cedar Hills Land Fill visit www.kingcounty.gov/recycling-transfer.