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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
How to prepare for an early and long 2023 wildfire season
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider Since 2017, rising temperatures and dryer conditions have created a health risk we’re learning to expect in the Pacific Northwest – wildfire smoke season. This year, wildfire smoke is forecast to start early in King County and last into fall. Record-setting forest fires have already darkened skies in Canada and the eastern U.S., and our region is set to be next. By preparing now, you can help to protect your and your family’s lungs, heart, and health from smoke. Read more.
Meet the new Crisis Care Centers Initiative planning team
Cross-posted from Cultivating Connections In April, more than 56 percent of King County voters approved the Crisis Care Centers levy. This is a generational opportunity to improve the behavioral health system and deliver care to King County residents. The core components of this initative include crisis care, walk-in services, and residential treatment, in addition to strengthening this critical workforce. King County has brought on three new employees to help lead the implementation process and serve as planning team leads in the next phase of this work. Get to know them here.
King County first in the nation to order new hybrid fire truck
King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) will be the first airport in the nation to receive a Striker Volterra 6×6 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) hybrid electric fire engine after finalizing purchase details with Oshkosh Airport Products, a division of Pierce Manufacturing Inc. The new rig complements the airport’s existing diesel-powered firefighting vehicles also made by Oshkosh Airport Products and will allow the airport to retire its oldest diesel fire truck. “Climate change is an urgent global crisis that requires us all to do our part, in ways large and small,… Read More
King County receives Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for support of National Guard and Reserve
King County has been honored with a 2023 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award in recognition of its support of National Guard and Reserve members. Only 15 recipients were selected for the award, which is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to small and large private and public sector employers for their exceptional support of employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. Read more.
Focus on values: We are racially just
“We are racially just” is a core value of King County government because to reach our True North – a welcoming community where every person can thrive – we must achieve racial justice. Only by achieving racial justice can we, together, experience the peace, power, and prosperity needed to truly thrive. Watch the video here and below.
Administrative Professionals Program quarterly recognitions
Do you know an administrative professional you’d like to recognize for the outstanding work they do? The Administrative Professionals Program holds quarterly recognitions for the County’s administrative employees who contribute to the success of every department every day. The upcoming recognitions will cover April-June, 2023, and will be posted by July 12. To recognize an administrative professional, please fill out the form here by June 30.
Second Professional Development Scholarship applications under review
The second and final round of completed applications for the 2023 Coalition Labor Agreement’s Professional Development Scholarship Program are currently under review. There are 52 applicants requesting a total of $130,000 in scholarship funds. Awardees for this period will be notified by email no later than July 14, 2023. The scholarship is part of the County’s commitment to Investing in YOU, and is designed to assist employees represented by a union in the Coalition of Unions with their professional development by providing up to $3,000 in financial assistance towards obtaining training, certificates, degrees, licenses, and… Read More
Goat Hill Garage open for LGBTQ+ Pride parade
Plan on participating in the LGBTQ+ Pride parade or watching the festivities? Public transportation is an excellent way to get downtown and avoid the traffic. Check out your options at Metro Trip Planner and Sound Transit. If public transportation is not an option for you, the Goat Hill Garage, normally closed on weekends, will open on Sunday, June 25 for parking from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking will be $9 for the general public and $7 for King County employees. The garage is at 415 Sixth Avenue just across the street from the Chinook… Read More
FEMA Public Assistance Program Cost Reimbursement Team receives 2022 Innovation Award for Cost
The Department of Executive Services and Office of Emergency Management – FEMA Public Assistance Program Cost Reimbursement Team has been honored with the Innovation Award for Cost. This award, part of King County Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards, is one of the of five Innovation Awards highlighting department teams whose projects, improvements, and ingenuity deliver exceptional, measurable results. “We solve problems” and “We drive for results” are core values at King County, and these award recipients met challenges in creative and impactful ways. Meet the team and view the award announcement and video… Read More
Register now for upcoming retirement classes
Check out the educational opportunities below to help you learn about — and prepare for — retirement. The following online classes are provided by your King County Retirement Team. For additional information, visit the King County Retirement page, read the Retirement Guide, or contact Carmen Johnson, retirement navigator. Introduction to Social Security — Wednesday, July 12 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Join this 90-minute class if you are interested in learning more about Social Security. Guest speaker Kirk Larson from the Social Security Administration will discuss your options as a King County employee… Read More
Update on the budget process and next steps
Dear employee, Back in late April, Executive Constantine emailed you about the unavoidable budget cuts facing the County’s General Fund. As the Executive explained, state law prohibits more than a 1% annual increase in the property tax. When inflation grows, that law prevents us from keeping up with rising costs, and inflation has been as high as 9.5% in recent years. King County was able to pass a two-year budget last year, and while the overall budget is healthy, it’s based on several funding sources. One key component – the General… Read More
WA Cares Fund paycheck deductions begin July 6
Beginning July 6, you will see a mandatory payroll deduction on your paystub for the state’s new WA Cares Fund long-term care insurance program. Here’s how the deduction will appear on your paystub: The premium is 0.58% of gross wages (58 cents per $100). The initial maximum value of the benefit will be $36,500 (adjusted annually for inflation). Submit WA Cares Fund exemption letters to King County by June 26 Some employees may be eligible for a permanent or conditional exemption from the WA Cares Fund. To learn more, go to Exemptions…. Read More
Providing support and care for people with substance use disorder: Treatment access in King County
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections In recent years, the pandemic has had a profound effect on mental health and substance use, with increasing numbers of people experiencing anxiety, depression, and loneliness. In 2021, there were over 106,600 deaths due to drug overdose in the U.S. — the highest on record. This reality is felt across the country, including here in King County, where we’ve seen a rise in substance use and overdose deaths. In the face of these tragic impacts, it is important to know where to get help and how to support someone in your community…. Read More
Recognizing Metro’s Operators of the Month for March and April 2023
They are our “rolling ambassadors,” the kind, courteous and helpful smile that greets you every day when you ride with us. Outside of work, they enjoy listening to live music, traveling, astronomy, motorcycle drag racing, and remote-control car racing! They represent more than two centuries of experience behind the wheel. The operators who drive your bus are as unique as you, and all of them love driving and giving back to their community. Meet your Metro Operators of the Month for March and April here.
Three short walks
Cross-posted from King County Parks As the spring weather finally warms up, King County Parks offers some great options to explore hiking in scenic, shaded landscapes. Whether making a short daytrip to Vashon Island or birdwatching in Marymoor Park, these short walks will get you immersed back in touch with nature in no time. To be specific by what we mean by “short,” all the walks on this list clock in at around 1.5 miles or less. Read more.
Regional solutions to reduce stormwater pollution
From the Department of Natural Resources and Parks King County Executive Dow Constantine recently hosted a regional summit with Tribal leaders, state and federal agency leaders, water quality experts, university researchers, and cities and counties throughout Central Puget Sound to pursue regional solutions to stormwater pollution, one of the greatest threats to water quality in the Puget Sound watershed. “Reducing the stormwater pollution that threatens the health of people, wildlife and Puget Sound requires collaboration, creativity, and commitment throughout the entire watershed,” said Executive Constantine. Read more here and watch the video below.
Executive Constantine announces winners of the 2023 Green Globe Award
The Green Globe Award is King County’s highest honor for environmental stewardship. Eleven individuals and organizations from across King County were recently honored by Executive Dow Constantine and the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks with a 2023 Green Globe Award for outstanding work to protect and restore the environment, and contributing to a more resilient, sustainable, more equitable King County. Read more here and and watch the video below.
King County Executive and County Council proclaim June 19, 2023 as Juneteenth
In recognition that Juneteenth commemorates the traditional observance of the end of slavery in the United States and that the King County Council adopted Ordinance 19209 on November 17, 2020, making Juneteenth an official holiday for King County employees, Executive Dow Constantine and the King County Council have declared June 19, 2023 as Juneteenth. Read the full proclamation below.
DES Director Caroline Whalen announces retirement after 29-year career
Caroline Whalen, Director of the Department of Executive Services (DES), has announced that she will retire from King County in early September 2023. “I appointed Caroline our DES Director back in 2010 and she has proved time and again to be one of King County’s most effective and respected leaders, one who leads by example with both words and actions,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said. “As sad as I am to see Caroline go after a stellar 29-year King County career, I am incredibly grateful for her many years of service… Read More
State retirement plan contributions change July 1, 2023
Employer contribution rates for some of the following retirement plans will change on July 1, 2023, as approved by the State Legislature. The state Pension Funding Council adjusts contribution rates, as needed, to fund the retirement benefits earned by members. The PERS employer rate will change to 9.39% for all PERS plans. There were no changes to the LEOFF plans. The PSERS employer rate will be 9.63%. You will see the new employer contribution amounts under employer-paid benefits on your paystub beginning July 20, 2023. More information is available on the Washington… Read More
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