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Holiday travel? Metro will help you get there
Emergency exercise tests communications ahead of World Cup
King County Wins 2025 Geospatial Professional Network Award for Innovative AI-GIS System
Recognizing the service of Metro veterans
News
2025 MLK celebration highlights dedication to community
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, King County employees and community members came together to honor our nation’s foremost human rights leader and King County’s namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The annual celebration was at the Ikea Performing Arts Center in Renton. The celebration focused on the theme Dedication to Community, and the accompanying quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence. Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” The program featured… Read More
Danielle Hinz named new FBOD deputy director
Crossposted from DES Express Danielle Hinz started in her role as Finance and Business Operations’ new deputy director on January 6, returning to King County after a hiatus working at Amazon. “You will find that Danielle is a seasoned and mature leader who excels at building relationships,” said Ken Guy, FBOD director. “She is also a strategic and visionary thinker who knows how to achieve results in collaboration with others.” Read more.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday is Jan. 20
King County offices are closed on Monday, Jan. 20 to observe the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. All offices will be back to normal schedule on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Click here for Metro Transit holiday bus schedules. If you have questions about your holiday schedule, please speak to your supervisor. Have a safe and healthy holiday.
Discounts available for Cirque du Soleil KOOZA at Marymoor Park, Jan. 19 – Mar. 16
Cirque du Soleil returns to Marymoor Park with KOOZA, a show that combines two circus traditions: acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful mélange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor. King County employees receive 20% off by using this link for select seats/dates. For VIP packages and groups of 10 or more people, contact Sales Manager Michael Ciaccia at Michael.Ciaccia@cirquedusoleil.com for details and added savings. See all available employee discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
View your W-2 form online
Your 2024 W-2 form is now available in PeopleSoft to view and print. ADP will mail a paper copy of your W-2 form by the January 31 IRS deadline to the address you had listed in PeopleSoft on Dec. 31, 2024. To view or print your W-2, log in to PeopleSoft, choose the Payroll tile, then go to “View W-2/W-2c Forms.” You can also access W-2 forms from any device by registering at the ADP website using these instructions: Access W-2s through ADP. Your Form 1095-C—Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage—will also be sent to your… Read More
King County Metro mourns one of our own, lost too soon
Crossposted from Metro Matters A loyal friend. A kind and thoughtful operator. A devoted husband. Metro Operator Shawn Yim was all these things and more. Yim, 59, was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 18. Thousands of Metro and other King County employees, staff from transit agencies around the Northwest and Canada, dignitaries and members of the public participated in a citywide procession and attended the memorial service that followed. It was hosted by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 587 at the Lumen Field WAMU Theater. Read more.
Advances made in building a more representative King County
New data shows that King County continues to make progress towards its goal of a County workforce that truly reflects the communities we serve. Since 2016, King County has had the stated goal of ensuring its workforce is racially diverse and culturally responsive at all levels of the organization, consistent with the region’s demographics, with a particular focus on positions within the top 20 percent of pay. “King County is rapidly changing,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said. “More people are choosing to live and work here because of everything this region… Read More
King County Metro to resume fare inspection in March 2025
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Metro is planning a phased approach to returning to fare inspection. In the coming weeks, the agency is launching a multilingual communications and outreach campaign to raise awareness of this change and to let riders know they may be eligible for a reduced fare. Starting March 31, 2025, Metro’s Fare Resource Advocates will ask riders for proof of fare payment. The officers will offer friendly, verbal reminders to riders who did not pay. The Fare Resource Advocates also will provide information on the return to fare… Read More
Reminder: 2025 benefit deductions began with the first payday of the year
Depending on the benefits you elected during Open Enrollment, you may notice differences in the deductions taken out of your paycheck. Benefit deductions for the new year always start on the first paycheck in January. For 2025, the benefit deductions began on the Jan. 2 paycheck. Those in the Regular Employee Benefit Group have premium share deductions for the Regence medical plans: KingCare PPO ($75 per month) and KingCare Select ($50 per month). Pre-tax deductions for employee premium shares are split evenly and deducted from the first two paychecks of every month…. Read More
King County Metro celebrates Streetcar Employee of the Year Mike Nicolay
Crossposted from Metro Matters A man described as an integral part of the Streetcar team has been named as the King County Metro’s Streetcar Employee of the Year. Mike Nicolay was selected for the honor by his colleagues, who say he is an invaluable resource to all whom he meets during his workday. “Mike Nicolay is the heart and soul of Streetcar for his behind-the-scenes administrative support of all employees across Streetcar and plays a critical role in keeping Streetcar running smoothly,” said Jeremy Valenta, Streetcar Director. “Mike is known by his… Read More
Balanced You Mindfulness: 2025 winter schedule
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged with whatever we are doing at the moment—free from distraction or judgment. It is a proven method to reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being. Balanced You partners with mindfulness providers CuriosityBased, SolJoy, and Mindfulness Northwest to offer classes to King County employees. The classes are open to all employees and each class is a one-time event. You can find the 2025 winter mindfulness schedule here. Supervisors: Here is a printer-friendly PDF with the Mindfulness winter 2025 schedule to post at your worksites for… Read More
King County Historic Preservation team earns national recognition
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green Homes built in King County neighborhoods during the post-World War II housing boom have long been dwindling in number – cleared to make way for newer homes that better fit current families and lifestyles. “Our region’s soaring property values and its rapidly growing population have led to losing many of these homes,” said Jennifer Meisner, King County Historic Preservation Officer. “Because they are typically smaller than current standards, but often have desirable views and mature landscaping, these homes are vulnerable to demolition for larger developments.” Read more.
King County Metro Vanpool to add 120 more electric vehicles
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Metro is taking another step toward a more sustainable future by adding 120 electric vehicles to our vanpool fleet. The new seven-passenger vehicles will join our nearly two dozen electric compact vanpool cars already on the road. Following this procurement, almost 10 percent of Metro’s vanpool fleet will be electric. What is a vanpool? Vanpooling is similar to carpooling. Commuters share the driving and have a common schedule and route to work. With a Metro Vanpool, all costs are included in one low monthly fare. This… Read More
Storm damage? You may qualify for a low interest loan
Crossposted from KC Emergency News If your home or business was damaged between Nov. 17 – 25 due to the bomb cyclone, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, or mudslides, you may qualify for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience low-interest loan. These loans cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance or other sources. Proceeds from insurance coverage on home or property may be deducted from the eligible loan amount. Interest on the loan does not begin to accrue nor do the repayments start until 12 months after receiving the… Read More
Update: King County programs helps a young person secure his dream job
Crossposted from Best Starts for Kids In the span of a little more than a year, 19-year-old Jordan Kinney shifted from feeling hopeless to securing a dream job, with help from King County youth programs. Earlier this year, we shared Jordan’s story, just after he had landed an internship with King County International Airport with support from the King County program, Career LaunchPad. Since then, he’s managed to achieve another goal, getting a full-time permanent position at the airport as a Utility Maintenance worker. “This job is a dream come true for… Read More
Smooth sailing: 15 years of the King County Water Taxi
Cross-posted from the Captains Blog In 2009: This year marks the 15th anniversary of King County providing passenger-only service to the residents of Vashon Island and the beginning of the King County Water Taxi. “The water taxi is a vital part of our regional transit system,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “The enthusiastic response to regular midday service for both West Seattle and Vashon is no surprise. Here’s to many more years of smooth sailings and happy Water Taxi passengers.” Read more.
DCHS in 2024!
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections As the year comes to a close, the Department of Community and Human Services is taking stock in progress we’ve made throughout a year filled with both challenges and opportunities. This year was full of milestones and celebrations, and we look forward to building on these accomplishments for the people of King County in 2025. Read more.
A new landmark rises: Beacon Pacific Village opens on the historic Pacific Tower campus
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections Last month, the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Beacon Pacific Village, a new affordable housing community offering a blend of residential, mixed-use, and critical on-site services. Between 2016 to 2020, King County’s Housing Finance Program (HFP) awarded nearly five million dollars to SCIDpda, the owner and developer of Beacon Pacific Village, through Transit Oriented Development funding and other awards. Recognized by developers for its innovative design and sustainable architecture, Beacon Pacific Village provides connection to wellness, community, and healing for communities fragmented… Read More
King County Metro signs landmark deal to welcome new bus manufacturer to North America, expand zero-emission fleets
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Metro has contracted with European bus builder Solaris to buy up to 16 zero-emission buses. This marks Solaris’ first contract with a U.S.-based transit agency and represents the company’s effort to expand its presence in the North American market. The partnership also reflects a broader push to diversify the number of transit suppliers in the region. Metro’s procurement will help increase the bus manufacturing competition in the U.S. market, where bus manufacturing shortages have created supply chain challenges for all transit agencies. Read more.
Wishing all employees a joyful holiday season
Happy Holidays to all our employees and their loved ones. May you enjoy time together with joy and laughter. A special thank you to our employees who are working over the holiday. King County is grateful for your service.
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