Public meetings on the proposed 2009 King County budget

The King County Council would like to hear you thoughts on how we should prioritize our budget as we are faced with a projected $90 million shortfall in 2009. The Council will hold six public meetings throughout the county to receive direct feedback from citizens on the proposed 2009 budget.

• Tuesday, October 14 - Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus, 24635 Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road, Issaquah
• Thursday, October 16 - Maleng Regional Justice Center, Courtroom 3F, 401 4th Avenue North, Kent
• Tuesday, October 21 - Finn Hill Junior High School, 8040 Northeast 132nd Street, Kirkland
• Thursday, October 23 - Shoreline Conference Center, Shoreline Room, 18560 1st Avenue Northeast, Shoreline
• Tuesday, October 28 - King County Council Chambers, 516 Third Avenue, Room 1200, Seattle
• Monday, November 10 - King County Council Chambers, 516 Third Avenue, Room 1200, Seattle, starting at 1:30 p.m.

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings will be held from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Day-after coverage of the public hearings will be available both online and on King County Television, seen on Comcast and Broadstripe Cable Channel 22.

More information about the 2009 Budget can be found here: http://www.kingcounty.gov/council/budget.aspx.

If you cannot attend any of these meetings, please feel free to e-mail me your comments at kathy.lambert@kingcounty.gov.

 
Waste-to-energy plant in Hamburg, Germany.

Waste-to-Energy Showcase

Two years ago, I got interested in solid waste disposal as King County began looking at alternatives in preparation for the closure of Cedar Hills, the county’s last landfill. The closure of Cedar Hills is currently scheduled for 2016, with the possibility of extension to 2021 with the implementation of additional recommendations. Last March, I went on a study mission to Germany to talk with top government officials and scientists and to learn about advanced thermal reclamation using new, environmentally responsible technology. I hosted a Waste-to-Energy Showcase night featuring video and interviews from the study mission, a question-and-answer session, and presentations by an expert panel.  Watch the Complete Presentation. Requires RealOne Player.

Participating in the review of the County's “constitution”

The King County Charter, which was adopted in 1969, is the County’s constitution. It provides our fundamental framework for local governance. The Charter specifies that at least once every ten years a citizen commission review the charter and recommend changes. In January, the Commission began reviewing the Charter and will send its recommendations to the County Council next year. I have already submitted a list of 44 suggestions (pdf, 45KB) to the Commission for their consideration. Learn More...

Affordable housing crisis

A quiet crisis of housing affordability is growing in King County. Despite our expanding economy and record housing sales, too many middle- and lower-income families cannot find housing they can afford, and housing prices continue to increase. Read my Op-Ed in the Seattle Times.