Council appoints Steve Strachan as King County Sheriff
Appointment effective until November election

The Metropolitan King County Council adopted a motion appointing Steve Strachan to succeed Sue Rahr as King County Sheriff.

Strachan, who was Rahr’s Chief Deputy, became interim Sheriff when Rahr left the Sheriff’s office on March 31 to become director of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Under the King County Charter, the Council is responsible for appointing a new Sheriff until the vacancy has been filled at the next general election in November. The Council fulfilled that responsibility today by appointing Strachan. Read more...

Renton Avenue Improvement Project Groundbreaking

Councilmember Patterson joined City of Renton Mayor Denis Law and other elected officials and community leaders on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, to break ground on the $42 million final phase of the Rainier Avenue South Improvement Project. The ceremony took place in the parking lot of McLendon Hardware in Renton.

Rainier Avenue South serves as the major north-south thoroughfare through Renton and connects South King County and South Seattle to Renton. When completed the Rainier Avenue project will result in a safer, more aesthetically pleasing major north-south corridor to Renton. The project will improve transit mobility, upgrade traffic safety, and enhance pedestrian safety with new 8-foot wide sidewalks, landscaped buffers, and improved street lighting.  Learn more...

How to get funding and support from 4Culture in 2012

4Culture, King County’s Cultural Services Agency, has announced its 2012 opportunities and deadlines for funding and other programs. Funds awarded through these programs develop and maintain the cultural resources, creative expression and unique character of King County. These grants are available to community groups, neighborhood associations, public agencies, and non-profits that have a physical presence in King County.  The deadlines for the grants are in February and March.

4Culture is hosting free, weekly public workshops across King County to help applicants prepare to submit grants. At these workshops, applicants can learn more about the application process and meet with 4Culture staff.  Learn more...

County Council approves "humane, efficient" 2012 King County Budget

For the second straight year, the King County Council approved the County Budget ahead of its predicted schedule. Led by Budget Chair Patterson, the 2012 budget was approved on November 9, 2011. It is a budget that continues the Council’s proactive approach to reforming County government, while protecting vulnerable populations and increasing the focus on County roads. To learn more about the 2012 Budget, please read the news release.

On October 24, 2011, the King County Council unanimously passed an ordinance to support King County’s aerospace industry and ensure the production of the Boeing 737 aircraft remains in King County. The ordinance was introduced by Councilmember Julia Patterson and allocates funding to study how King County can strengthen the overall aerospace industry, and the extent to which the County’s aerospace firms can expand their business by supplying parts to airplane manufacturers. For additional funding and aerospace information, including Boeing’s plan to select a region to build the next generation of its 737 aircraft, please refer to the news release.

Council Budget Committee to hold three special meetings on 2012 Budget

The King County Council’s Budget Committee will host three evening meetings to hear from the public on the County Executive’s proposed 2012 Budget. Councilmember Patterson, Chair of the Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee, will host the meetings and be joined by the Budget Leadership Team composed of Councilmembers Kathy Lambert, Jane Hague and Joe McDermott. The public meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. and be held in Issaquah, Kent and Seattle. For more information on meeting dates and locations, please click here.

Council Budget Leadership Team prepares to tackle realistic 2012 Budget that continues reform of County Government

On September 26, King County Executive Dow Constantine proposed a $5.3 billion budget that includes no cuts to the $648 million General Fund budget, more than three-quarters of which is targeted for law, justice and public safety services. Despite having had to trim $233 million from King County’s General Fund budget over the last four years, the Council’s proactive approach to reforming County government has prepared it for the 2012 Budget deliberations which begin on Tuesday, October 4. For more information on deliberations, please click here or the visit the 2012 County Budget website.

King County Districting Committee releases redistricting plan for public review

On September 19, the King County Districting Committee voted to release a single King County Council redistricting plan for public review and comment. The plan is available online and the public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, November 1 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the King County Courthouse. The public hearing is the last phase of public review prior to final action by the Committee. For additional meeting information, including the location of the Courthouse and meeting room please click here. The public may also provide online testimony through November 1.  

Council supports federal efforts to reduce oil price speculation

On September 19, the Council unanimously adopted a motion introduced by Councilmember Patterson to support the efforts of U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell in reducing the cost of gas for King County drivers. The motion calls on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to implement its power to control and prosecute investors “speculating on oil prices.” Oil speculation drives up the price of gas and products dependent on gas prices, like public buses, in King County. For additional information about the motion and its impact on the County’s fuel costs, please refer to the news release.

Council adopts first director of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight

On September 19, the Council unanimously approved the selection of Charles Gaither as director of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO). Led by the efforts of Councilmembers Patterson and Bob Ferguson, OLEO was created to establish better oversight of the King County Sheriffs Office. Gaither will lead OLEO and ensure the integrity of the Sheriffs Office complaint and investigation process, including the resolution of complaints. To read more about the selection process, or Charles Gaither’s biography please click here.