Priority: Trust in Government
Goal: Make King County government more transparent, accountable and accessible with a culture of service excellence and public engagement

Elected officials have a duty to ensure government is transparent, efficient and accountable to all of its residents. Information held by the government must be readily available to the public, and there must be opportunities for citizens to become engaged with their government. It is also very important for King County and its employees to emphasize service excellence in all that the county delivers.

Identify a list of key Council actions and initiatives, including their current status, and make it available on the Council website in order to keep the public informed

Reaffirm the role of the Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee in order to support transparency in elections

Develop an action plan to implement the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight in order to enhance trust and understanding between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve
(In conjunction with the King County Executive)

Adopt Countywide Strategic Plan (CWSP) in order to establish and publicly share the priorities for King County government and how the county will measure its success

Incorporate countywide knowledge transition, retention and management planning in the Countywide Strategic Plan in order to ensure continuity in county service delivery and operations
(In conjunction with the King County Executive)

Maintain high performance standard achievement for elections in King County in order to ensure integrity of elections
(In conjunction with the King County Elections)

Audit bus purchasing, jail operations, and other high-priority programs and services in order to identify and recommend effective ways to save money and advance government performance and accountability
(In conjunction with the King County Auditor)

Identify King County’s long-term space/facility needs, and related labor policies in order to maximize workforce flexibility, save money, reduce road congestion and greenhouse gases, and increase employee productivity
(In conjunction with the King County Executive)

Implement an electronic records management system for council records in order to improve records management and efficiency in responding to public disclosure requests

Priority: Financial Stewardship
Goal: Exercise sound financial management in adopting a balanced budget that reflects the values of King County residents and builds the county’s fiscal strength

The county is experiencing financial challenges that result from an ongoing systemic structural budget gap and the global and local economic recession. Given the current and forecasted economic conditions, the county will be challenged to protect public services, maintain the highest possible bond rating and preserve the highest possible reserves.

Rely on the Office of Economic Financial Analysis for county revenue forecasting in order to increase trust in government fiscal planning

Adopt King County Strategic Technology Plan in order to provide policy direction for the county’s technology investments

Consider a charter amendment, recommended by the King County Charter Review Commission, concerning a division of collective bargaining authority between the Executive and other county elected officials

Evaluate results of first phase of Information Technology Reorganization in order to collaboratively develop implementation plans for future phases
(In conjunction with the King County Separately Elected Officials)

Adopt culturally sensitive partnership service delivery agreements with community groups in order to empower community-based approaches to services and reduce county costs

Adopt 2011 Budget Priorities in order to provide a framework for budget deliberations

Review and consider audit recommendations concerning major capital investments, such as Brightwater, or efficiencies, such as Metro Transit in order to make government more efficient and cost effective

Priority: Local and Regional Cooperation
Goal: Work with other governments and organizations to implement local and regional priorities and increase the efficiency of service delivery

King County is both a local and a regional provider of services that partners with other organizations to help achieve shared local and regional priorities. As such, the county will work with stakeholders and partner jurisdictions to plan, improve and efficiently deliver services to the public.

Adopt a full-cost recovery model for animal control services in order to find a humane and financially sustainable solution that is not subsidized by the county’s general fund
(In conjunction with the King County Executive)

Conduct a review and update King County’s emergency response plan in order to ensure that the county and its many regional and local partners are prepared for a coordinated, comprehensive response when disasters occur
(In conjunction with the King County Executive)

Convene a regional conversation regarding the provision and delivery of regional jail/detention facilities, and alternatives to incarceration, in order to reduce costs and meet the collective jail/detention needs
(In conjunction with the King County Executive)

Priority: Safe, Healthy and Vibrant Communities
Goal: Foster vibrant and economically thriving communities for all

As both a local (rural and urban unincorporated) and regional government, King County plays a significant role in equitably protecting public safety and health, providing human services, and providing mobility options, which support the county’s economic growth and enhances the quality of life for all county residents.

Adopt a Strategic Plan for Road Services in order to provide needed road maintenance while delivering on mobility commitments such as Novelty Hill Road

Consider a charter amendment, recommended by the King County Charter Review Commission, concerning the creation of an executive office focused on the interests of residents of unincorporated areas of the county.

Consider the 2010-2014 Department of Development and Environmental Service Five Year Strategic Plan, and organizational structure in order to require that the department is structured to effectively and efficiently deliver core responsibilities with a customer service emphasis

Conduct a review of King County’s local emergency response plan(s) in order to ensure that the county is prepared for a coordinated, comprehensive response when disasters occur

Advocate for federal funding to repair the federally owned Howard Hanson Dam in order to reduce the risks of a potential flood that would be catastrophic to the people and businesses of the Green River Valley
(In conjunction with the King County Executive)

Review King County’s response to the H1N1 flu pandemic in order to implement lessons learned

Priority: Environmental Sustainability
Goal: Safeguard and enhance King County’s natural resources and environment

A healthy natural environment is key to maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for all county residents. Environmental stewardship strengthens rural and urban communities by providing open space, parks and trails; protecting the region’s water, air, land and natural habitats; reducing the production of green house gasses; and reducing, safely disposing of and creating resources from wastewater and solid waste.

Establish a King County Green Agenda addressing County operations, open space and parks, air and water quality, alternative energy and energy efficiency, job creation, building practices, and transportation options in order to improve the region’s environment and the quality of life for King County residents

Establish a Parks Levy Oversight Board in order to monitor expenditures of voter-approved Parks Levy measures

Adopt a county Open Space Plan, addressing the county’s policies on Parks, Trails, and Natural Lands that will assure continuing eligibility for state recreation/open space lands acquisition funding

Complete the lighting plan and establish capital project protocols related to energy efficiency in order to achieve energy savings in county operations

Evaluate energy efficiency capital projects at King County Courthouse and Correctional Facility in order to decrease costs and the county's operationally-related green house gas impacts

With the cities of King County, complete the process for approval and ratification of the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan meeting State requirements in order to better manage solid waste (trash), increase recycling and protect the environment

Adopt a Shoreline Master Plan meeting State requirements in order to protect the county’s shorelines and remain eligible for federal and state environmental protection grant funding

Begin implementing proactive measures from the December 2009 FARMS (Future of Agriculture, Realize Meaningful Solutions) Report in order to reflect the changing nature and needs of farming in King County and keep farmers farming

Adopt Countywide Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan that will allow King County and other county jurisdictions greater access to federal flood mitigation funding

Priority: Equity and Social Justice
Goal: Identify and eliminate inequities in King County

Ensure that all King County government departments develop policies that emphasize accountability to the poor, disenfranchised and most marginalized residents in our communities. A commitment to equity and social justice throughout the entire framework of our government will be one of our guiding principles.

Adopt an equity and social justice framework in order to ensure that King County considers all aspects of equity in its policies and actions

Priority: Local Jobs and Economic Development
Goal: Promote local employment opportunities and economic recovery.

King County invests in public infrastructure projects that build, improve and enhance capital facilities and roads that also delivers hundreds of jobs every year both directly, and as a result of new infrastructure capacity. King County believes that these investments in local job creation, capital improvements and infrastructure enhancement, and local and regional economic development are the right investments for these tough financial times.

Report annually on job creation, retention and retraining efforts as they relate to King County actions in order to ensure prudent investment of King County resources

Provide for sufficient wastewater treatment and conveyance capacity in order to make an investment in the region that prepares for economic growth

Advocate for federal stimulus funding for local infrastructure projects such as bridges, roads, rail and public building improvements

Invest more than $34 million in King county funding to mitigate against potential flooding from the federally owned Howard Hanson Dam in order to protect the more than 100,000 jobs representing in excess of $37 billion of annual gross business income contained within the Green River Valley

Priority: Mobility for People, Goods and Services
Goal: Increase mobility options throughout King County

King County businesses and residents want less traffic congestion and automobile pollution, and more options for easily and quickly getting to and from their travel destinations. King County has the opportunity to be a leader in developing, supporting and integrating mobility systems, Metro Transit, green mobility technologies, development of Sound Transit rail and express bus service, regional trails, and land, sea and air freight mobility.

Create a Regional Transit Task Force in order to garner recommendations that save Metro Transit’s existing system and guide system expansion and integration within the regional transportation system
(In conjunction with the King County Executive)

Implement an Electric Vehicle Charging Station program at King County locations in order to level the opportunities for new mobility technology to succeed

Create a regional process for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe-Eastside Rail Corridor that will identify the land use vision and guide the dual use of the corridor within King County for rails and trails
(In conjunction with the King County Executive)

Maintain the financial capacity approved in the 2010/2011 biennial budget that maintains the current bus service levels and RapidRide implementation schedule by using more efficient service planning in order to avoid service cuts in tough financial times and maintain mobility options

Adopt a comprehensive South Park Bridge closure plan while continuing to work with local, state and federal partners to secure funding for replacement of the South Park Bridge

Work with the Congressional delegation and the Port of Seattle to identify solutions and funding for improvements to Stampede Pass in order to enhance the mobility of freight for the County, State and the nation