Recent Executive Office press releases

Approximately 25 miles of the BNSF Eastside rail corridor will be put in public ownership in perpetuity under a $26 million funding proposal transmitted today by King County Executive Kurt Triplett to the King County Council for approval.  Learn more...

King County Executive-elect Dow Constantine today named six experienced regional leaders to the senior management team that will join him when he officially takes office next week.  Learn more...

King County Executive Kurt Triplett and representatives of several local government agencies and private partners have signed an agreement to preserve the Eastside Rail Corridor and place it in public ownership (external link).  Learn more...

Three major credit rating agencies have awarded a AAA bond rating to King County government based on its 2010 proposed budget, despite the repercussions of a worldwide recession. The agencies cited King County government’s excellent financial management, willingness to make politically tough but necessary budget adjustments, and low to moderate debt levels as key to the county’s continued financially stability and fifth straight year of earning a AAA rating.   Learn more...

Youth and young adults completing substance abuse treatment programs will have help to complete treatment and transition successfully back to their communities, thanks to new funding announced by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The award to King County’s Mental Health, Chemical Abuse and Dependency Services Division will provide $300,000 a year for three years to support substance abuse treatment programs for youth 18-24 years of age and their families.  Learn more...

King County Executive Kurt Triplett today thanked the Metropolitan King County Council acting as the Ferry District Board of Supervisors for dramatically reducing the county Ferry District’s property tax. The action leaves open the possibility of a dedicated Metro transit tax at no net increase to property owners.  Learn more...

King County residents now have several new tools for tracking whether county programs are operating effectively and meeting performance management targets.   Learn more...

More than 156,000 acres of open space land in King County will enjoy extra protection at no cost taxpayers, thanks to a charter amendment vote of the people Tuesday.  Learn more...

The King County Council has passed legislation approving $34.6 million in funding for flood preparation activities in the Green River Valley as requested by King County Executive Kurt Triplett in September.  Learn more...

Work will begin immediately to protect residents and businesses by raising flood protection levees at vulnerable spots in Auburn, Kent and Tukwila under an agreement signed today by King County Executive Kurt Triplett and the Mayors of Auburn, Kent and Tukwila.  Learn more...

On Monday, October 12, 2009, most King County staff will be on unpaid leave and most county buildings will be closed as the county takes the eighth of 10 furlough days in 2009 to cut operational costs countywide. All department employees, with limited exceptions, such as those in public safety functions, are included in the furlough plan.  Learn more...

King County Executive Kurt Triplett today transmitted a $621 million 2010 General Fund budget that shields criminal justice and public health services from major cuts and slashes administrative costs to address a projected $56.4 million shortfall. The General Fund is $26 million less than 2009 - the second year in a row that the General Fund has decreased from the previous year. Across all county funds, the budget eliminates 367 jobs  Learn more...

King County Executive Kurt Triplett today announced that he is providing six months of funding in his 2010 budget to help the county begin a regional process for transitioning out of animal care and sheltering services. He has assigned staff to work with stakeholders to develop a new model for regional animal services that is humane and financially sustainable.  Learn more...

An audit released by the Washington State Auditor on Wednesday highlights nearly two dozen instances of industry standard best practices being used by King County to reduce taxpayer costs for utility services.  Learn more...

King County Executive Kurt Triplett announced he is sending three pieces of legislation to the King County Council this week to increase protection of people and businesses, their property, and county facilities and services in the event of a flood in the Green River Valley. He will request approximately $40 million for 2009 flood preparation costs.  Learn more...

King County Executive Kurt Triplett signed a proclamation of emergency today in order to speed up preparation for an increase risk of flooding on the Green River due to damage to the Howard Hansen Dam. The action will waive county contracting requirements and help support a request for federal reimbursement for pre-emptive measures after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers warned of potential major flooding for three to five years while the dam is repaired.   Learn more...

On Friday, September 4, 2009, most King County staff will be on unpaid leave and most county buildings will be closed as the county takes the seventh of 10 furlough days in 2009 to cut operational costs countywide. All department employees, with limited exceptions, such as those in public safety functions, are included in the furlough plan.  Learn more...

King County residents who depend on the county’s Web site for updates are getting their information from one of the most innovative, user-friendly portals around, according to e.Republic.com’s Center for Digital Government. The organization has recognized King County with three awards for excellence in Information Technology in its 2009 Best of the Web and Digital Government Achievement Awards.  Learn more...

King County residents are invited to share their thoughts to help the county create a strategic plan that consolidates the strategic plans of departments and agencies. King County will collect residents’ ideas and opinions this summer through surveys, public meetings and online feedback.  Learn more...

The Metropolitan King County Council has unanimously confirmed Executive Ron Sims’ appointee Kathleen Van Olst as the new director of the county’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD).  Learn more...

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King County Executive Ron Sims is proposing incentive-based regulations that provide a safe harbor from litigation for developers who reduce greenhouse gases associated with their projects. Developers who reduce carbon emissions by 15 percent of what they would generate by complying with current codes would be designated as "in compliance" with environmental standards under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The change could help reduce the impacts of global warming for this region.  Learn more...

King County Executive Ron Sims will be joined by leaders in the environmental and development community for an announcement.  Learn more...

Executive Ron Sims is pleased to inform citizens of King County that President Barack Obama has declared a federal disaster for the January severe winter storm incident that impacted King County.  Learn more...