News from and about King County… from health updates to community news affecting our daily lives.

Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes news about the first 2024 meeting of the Regional Policy Committee, upcoming public meetings for King County’s Comprehensive Plan Update, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks' new director, a property tax update, paid internships for high school and college students, King County’s Draft Flood Plan public comment period, King County’s 2025 Budget Process, grants, sports, transit and health updates, and more.




Washington Trivia

On this day 171 years ago, this territory was created due to the demand of settlers north of the Columbia River to have a territory of their own. What territory was it?

(Answer is at the bottom).




Regional Policy Committee

At the first 2024 meeting of the Regional Policy Committee (RPC), I, the Chair of the committee, and my fellow RPC members discussed the work program for 2024 and heard briefings from King County Solid Waste Division (SWD) Director Pat McLaughlin and King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall. Additionally, the committee welcomed new members and selected Redmond Mayor Angela Birney as the committee vice-chair.

Director McLaughlin provided an update on the SWD Comprehensive Plan including the Long-Term Disposal Study and an overview of Waste to Energy. Sheriff Cole-Tindall provided general updates on King County Sheriff’s Office’s contracts with twelve cities, two transit organizations (Sound Transit and Metro), the King County International Airport and the Muckleshoot Tribe. You may watch the recorded meeting here.

The next RPC meeting will be held on February 14th, with action on the committee’s work plan and discussion of the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) Advisory Board, as well as the Crisis Care Centers Levy Implementation Plan. For more information and to view the agenda, click here.



At the Dais with members of the Regional Policy Committee who attended in person: (L-R) Seattle Council President Sara Nelson, King County Councilmember Jorge Barón (Alternate), Redmond Mayor and RPC Vice-Chair Angela Birney, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, and King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci


King County Comprehensive Plan Public Meetings

This week, the King County Council hosted two meetings in Seattle and Covington to hear from the public as part of the Council’s once-a-decade update to its Comprehensive Plan, which guides land use policy across unincorporated King County and affects everything from where homes can be built, to how roads impact surrounding areas, to access to clean water. If you were not able to attend, you can watch either of these meetings on the King County TV website. You may also share your thoughts via email at CompPlan@kingcounty.gov.


King County Local Services Director John Taylor Appointed as New DNRP Director

Beginning February 12th, King County Department of Local Services (DLS) Director John Taylor will begin serving as the new director for the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP). He will replace Christie True, who is retiring after a 39-year career at the agency. Taylor’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the King County Council. The Executive Office will begin recruiting for a new director for the Department of Local Services. Read more here.


Property Tax Update

On February 15th, property tax statements for 2024 will be mailed to either your mortgage lender (if a mortgage lender pays your taxes) or to you (if you pay your property taxes yourself). If you have not received a statement by March 1st, you may email propertytax.customerservice@kingcounty.gov, call 206-263-2890, or request a tax statement online.



Limited Income Deferral Program

Property owners who meet equity requirements, with an annual household income of $57,000 or less for the previous year, own the property for at least 5 years, live in the home as of January 1st of the current year and occupy the home for at least 6 months during the application year may apply for a limited income deferral. For more information, click here.

Tax Relief Programs for Seniors and People with Disabilities

In 2019, the State Legislature passed Senate Bill 5160, which expanded the qualifying income thresholds for the property tax exemption and deferral programs, subject to adjustment by March 1st every fifth year thereafter. In 2020, seniors and persons with disability with 2019 annual incomes below the $58,423 threshold (for King County) were eligible for property tax relief. On March 1st, 2024, the state Department of Revenue will publish updated income thresholds.

For more information about payment options or to sign up for text and email reminders about your property taxes, click here. For more information about Exemptions and Deferrals:

• Visit the King County Assessor’s website
• Email exemptions.assessments@kingcounty.gov
• Call 206-296-3920 for exemptions or 206-263-2338 for deferrals
• You may also apply online at https://senior-exemption.kingcounty.gov


Paid Internships for High School and College Students

The King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) is offering paid teen and college internships and spring career events. To learn more about these career opportunities, visit WTD’s website or contact Education Coordinator Kristin Covey at 206-263-8856 or kristin.covey@kingcounty.gov.

King County Parks offers paid summer teen internships through their Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). To learn more and sign up to receive notifications when the application reopens this year, visit YCC’s website or email ycc@kingcounty.gov.




Public Comment Period for King County’s Draft Flood Plan Now Open

On January 31st, the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) opened the public comment period for King County’s draft Flood Management Plan. This plan outlines policies and actions King County will take to reduce flood risks. The draft plan will be available for public comment through March 15th, with two online meetings to be held on February 15th and March 7th.

Register for one or both to submit comments and learn about the recommendations being submitted to the King County Council for adoption this summer. Visit the Flood Management Plan Engagement Hub to learn more about how to comment and register for meetings.


King County’s 2025 Budget Process

Following the voter-approved amendment to move elections for most County offices to even years in 2022, King County begins shifting the biennial budget development process to odd years so that it doesn’t overlap with elections for County offices. This allows elected officials to better engage in the decision-making process.

The budget transition begins this year with King County developing a 1-year transition budget for 2025. This will be our only 1-year budget. In 2025, we will resume our biennial budget process, developing a budget for 2026-2027. The biennial budget process will continue in 2028-2029 and beyond. Click here for the budget timeline. If you would like a member of the budget team to present to your community group about the King County budget, please email Katie Ross at katie-psb.ross@kingcounty.gov.


Apple Cup Men’s Basketball

Do we like basketball? Ask the 9,268 fans at the UW vs. WSU Apple Cup last Sunday! The Cougs won in overtime (90-87), but all the fans won by watching one of the most exciting games in Hec Ed (Hec Edmundson Pavilion) history. New UW Football Coach Jedd Fisch was introduced as well.



With new UW Football Coach Jedd Fisch

Alumni Corner

While our work is based on policies and programs, it is the people we work with who make the difference. Previously featured alumni included: Chris Cho, Tom Pierson, Bailey Stenson Gordon, Agnes Wooters, Jim Ferrell, and Jackie Schneider.

This week’s featured D7 Alumni is Megan Rage. Megan worked in my office from 2008-2009 and would take the bus to the King County Courthouse to work at my office front desk. During her time in my office, she learned a lot about the importance of listening to constituents when making policy determinations. “Pete was so engaged in learning from his constituents; it really gave me a new perspective on how local government should operate.” Megan graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Law, Societies and Justice.

Brazil is an important part of Megan’s life. She is fluent in Portuguese, loves Brazilian culture, and married a Brazilian! She planned to work for the State Department in Brazil after leaving my office but turned down an offer from them to focus on her family in Tacoma. Megan has since established herself as a prominent influencer on Instagram and TikTok focusing on Portuguese language fluency and offering lessons and strategies on raising children to be bilingual. She also enjoys social media, sports, spending time with her kids and visiting Disneyland with them. You can check out Megan’s language tips by clicking here (Instagram link). Thank you, Megan!


Transit Updates

King County Metro’s Vanpool: Your New Commute

Metro has one of the largest vanpool programs in the nation with nearly 1,000 vanpool groups on the road—and many new ones forming every week. With the post-pandemic impacts to transit, vanpool offers flexibility especially to those who only need to go in a few days each week, do shift work or work weekends.

Vanpool fare is about the same as a monthly bus fare. Check with your HR department as many employers subsidize vanpools. The easiest way to start is to join an existing vanpool group and Metro will help you find one.

• Try out Metro Vanpool with free test rides.
• If you live or work in Kent and make $25 or less per hour, you may qualify for a $49/person monthly Metro Vanpool fare. Kent Vanpool reduced fares are available until the end of May 2024 or while funding lasts. Please note, you may be asked to provide income information more than once. See if you qualify.

Youth Voices Needed: Become a Member of the SaFE Equity Workgroup

King County Metro is looking for young people from ages 15-19 to help shape the future of transit safety in King County through Metro’s Safety, Security, and Fare Enforcement (SaFE) Initiative. Members of the SaFE Equity Workgroup are paid for their participation, a stipend of $75 for each hour attending meetings and other events. The deadline to apply for the SaFE Equity Workgroup is February 16th. More information can be found on the Metro Matters blog.


Road Closure: Peasley Canyon Road S and Peasley Canyon Way S

King County Road Services will close Peasley Canyon Road S and Peasley Canyon Way S on the following dates to conduct guardrail repair, pavement marking, and general road maintenance. There will be no posted detour. Emergency access will be provided within the closure. Drivers may use Jovita Blvd, SR 18, S 316th St, and S 277th St as alternate routes. Expect delays.

• Saturday, Feb.10, 2024 | 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb.11, 2024 | 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 | 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For the most up-to-date information, please check MyCommute.


King County Parks Grants

King County Parks is still accepting applications for the Youth and Amateur Sports Grants and Healthy Communities and Parks Fund - Tier 1 and Tier 2.

Applications must be submitted by March 4th at 8:00 p.m. via the Parks Grant Portal. Download the 2024 Parks Grants Guide or view the text-only web version for details on available funding, award amounts, eligibility, applying, and the evaluation processes. For more information or questions, please call 206-848-0699 or email ParksGrants@kingcounty.gov.


City of Auburn Receives 2023 John D. Spellman Award

The City of Auburn is the recipient of the 2023 John D. Spellman Award for Excellence in Adaptive Reuse for the rehabilitation of the 1937 Auburn Post Office into the Postmark Center for the Arts. The building served as Auburn’s main post office until the early 1960s when it was sold to King County and extensively remodeled for use as a public health clinic. Auburn acquired the building in 2016 and transformed it into a vibrant space for public music and dance programs, visual arts exhibits and classes, and other cultural gatherings.




Non-Profit Corner

South King County Non-Profit Organizations

Auburn Food Bank 
https://www.theauburnfoodbank.org/

Auburn Noon Lions 
https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/auburn_noon/

Auburn Valley Humane Society 
https://www.auburnvalleyhs.org/

Bloodworks Northwest 
https://www.bloodworksnw.org/

Federal Way Kiwanis
https://federalwaykiwanis.square.site/

Federal Way Lions
https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/federalway/

Federal Way Senior Center
https://www.federalwayseniorcenter.org/

FUSION Décor Boutique
https://www.fusiondecorboutique.com/

Multi-Service Center Food Bank  
https://mschelps.org/getinvolved/donations/

Soroptimist International of Auburn   
https://siauburn.org/

Rotary Club of Federal Way  
https://federalwayrotary.com/

The Salvation Army 
https://federalway.salvationarmy.org/federal_way_corps

Donations for Maui Residents
Maui County has listed links to organizations accepting donations to benefit Maui residents affected by fires.


Nisqually Earthquake Anniversary is a Reminder to Prepare

While we do not know when the next major earthquake would happen, the 23rd anniversary of the Nisqually earthquake on February 28th is a good reminder to stay prepared, as this would make a huge difference in how we respond to disasters. Aside from the usual “drop, cover, and hold” techniques, more information on preparing for earthquakes can be found at kingcounty.gov/earthquake. King County Emergency Management recommends everyone to make a plan, build a kit, and stay informed. You can take a step now by signing up for ALERT King County at kingcounty.gov/alert.


Health Updates

Comprehensive Healthcare Offered at Washington State’s Largest Free Clinic

Seattle/King County Clinic returns to Seattle Center offering free dental, vision, and medical care to people in need. A limited number of tickets are distributed at Fisher Pavilion starting at 5:30 am each morning on a first come, first served basis. Services are open to all, and not limited to residents of Seattle or King County. Patients cannot receive dental and vision care on the same day but may return to wait for another ticket to get additional care on subsequent days. Interpreters are available, and all onsite services are provided free of charge. For additional patient information go to seattlecenter.org/patients, call 206-684-7200, or email SKCClinic@seattlecenter.org.



New Climate & Health Data Dashboards

2023 brought the hottest summer on record globally, making more people aware of climate change and its impact on our environment. However, not many people know about the impact climate change can have on their health. To help bring awareness and inform future actions, Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) has launched a new set of data dashboards that explore some of the impacts of climate change on the health of King County residents. The dashboards include the following:

• Heat-related illness
• Cold-related illness
• Asthma
• Seasonal Allergies
• Foodborne and waterborne illness
• Vector-borne disease


Contacts



Code Enforcement Links: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | Unincorporated
Crime Maps: Auburn| Federal Way| Kent | all of King County
Law Enforcement Updates: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | KCSO Unincorporated

To report illegal street racing in your neighborhood, dial 911.

Vaccine Locator: To find COVID-19 vaccine appointments, visit Vaccine Locator. For more information, visit getting vaccinated or getting tested in King County.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat https://988lifeline.org/ to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.






Click here to RSVP


With best wishes,

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

On February 8, 1853, in response to the demand of the settlers north of the Columbia River to have a territory of their own, the U.S. Congress concurred and created the Washington Territory.

According to Historylink, with the creation of Oregon Territory in 1848, the Oregon Trail began to fill with farmers and dreamers headed for the new Territory, including Midwesterners led by John Denny and his son Arthur Denny. As they found Oregon City and the Willamette Valley too crowded, most of their party relocated to Puget Sound in 1851.

People who lived north of the Columbia River resented the distance between them and the capital, Salem and in October 1852, the residents of the northern territory assembled a convention and adopted a memorial to Congress calling for the designation of “Columbia Territory.” On February 8, 1853, a federal bill was introduced to separate the “Columbia Territory” from Oregon. However, Kentucky Rep. Richard Stanton believed the first president should be honored with the name of a state or territory. Noting that the federal capital already recognized the name "Columbia," he amended the bill to read "Washington Territory."

On March 2, 1853, President Millard Fillmore signed the act and chose Isaac Stevens to govern the new territory, which until 1863 included Idaho. President Grover Cleveland then chose George Washington's birthday, February 22, 1889, to sign the act creating the state of Washington.

Photo Source: Historylink.org, Territory of Washington seal (1855) Courtesy Washington State Historical Society (2001.0.294)

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