Councilmember Julia Patterson's Home Page

County Council recognizes “pedal power” of Bike to Work Month participants

On June 29 the Metropolitan King County Council congratulated County employees who used two-wheeled transportation for the month of May. The Council recognized the 37 teams, including three from the legislative branch, that participated in the County’s Bike to Work Month challenge. Read more here.

Want to know more about your property taxes?

On June 2 more than 100 King County residents came to Mt. Rainier High School in Des Moines for a Town Hall meeting to learn more about property taxes and the assessment process. At the meeting we heard from King County Chief Deputy Assessor Rich Medved, Director of the Residential Appraisal Division of the Assessor’s office Debra Prins, and Barbara Alsheikh, Supervisor for the King County Tax Advisor’s office.

If you were not able to attend the meeting or have a question about your property taxes please see a list of frequently asked questions, or call our office for more information.

Your Input Needed! Transportation 2040 – The Future of Transportation in Puget Sound

Families and businesses throughout the region have felt the impact of the traffic congestion that grows worse every day. As Chair of the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Transportation Policy Board, Councilmember Patterson works hard to make sure we are addressing this issue while planning for the mobility needs of our growing region.

On June 4th Councilmember Patterson joined Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke and representatives from the Puget Sound Regional Council at the Kent Senior Center for a public meeting to discuss our region’s long-range transportation plan: Transportation 2040.

The Puget Sound Regional Council is currently seeking public comment on these different transportation alternatives. Please take a moment to review and provide your feedback, and thank you in advance for helping to shape the future of transportation in Puget Sound!

PASSED! Patterson/Ferguson Sheriff Oversight Legislation

On May 11, the King County Council unanimously passed legislation introduced by Councilmembers Patterson and Ferguson that will create an independent Office of Law Enforcement Oversight.  This office will monitor and report on the quality and accuracy of complaints against and investigations of deputies in the King County Sheriff’s office.  It will create even greater transparency, ensuring that when officers behave inappropriately, they are punished accordingly.  Moving forward with civilian oversight protects the people who put their lives on the line every day while restoring public confidence that complaints will be taken seriously.  Read more here.

PASSED! Legislation to Protect our Natural Resources

This spring, the King County Council unanimously approved legislation Councilmember Patterson introduced to help protect one of this region’s most vital resources-our lakes. This ordinance will significantly limit the use of fertilizers on lawns containing the plant nutrient phosphorus, which is known to cause harm to lakes.  It will take effect in King County on January 1, 2011. Read the press release here.