The County Executive is an elective office that began functioning when King County's Home Rule Charter went into effect in May 1969. The powers and duties as described in the Charter have not changed since that time. The County Executive has supervisory power over all administrative offices and departments, and is responsible for the county's budget and comprehensive plans, has the power to veto any county ordinance except as otherwise provided in the charter, and is the legal signatory for all deeds, contracts and other instruments.

John Spellman was the first King County Executive, holding office from 1969 until resigning to run for Governor in 1980.

021.001-45 Clipping files, 1972 - 1980
Contains photocopied clippings from King County newspapers on issues relating to county politics and programs. Arranged by subject and year. Includes a separate compilation of clippings relating to the Kingdome (Boxes 16-17).

Volume: 5.75 cu ft

Note: Boxes 1 and 2 (1972-1973, 0.6 cu ft) are located at the Puget Sound Regional Branch, Washington State Archives.

021.001-413 Photograph files, 1968 - 1979
Approximately 800 black and white and color images taken by various photographers. Mediums include 35mm, 2x3 and 4x5 negatives; 8x10, 5x7 and 3x5 photographs and contact sheets. Images document Spellman's career in Washington State politics with an emphasis on recreational events and various groundbreaking, construction and dedication events. Specific subjects include the Kingdome; general construction, festivities, structures and buildings related to King County; meetings, ceremonies, portraits, work sites, fishing trips and sporting events.

Volume: 0.75 cu ft

021.001-428 Speeches, 1969-1980
Artificial collection, originally maintained by the King County Council, of Executive John D. Spellman's speeches to various groups and organizations in and outside of Washington State. Speeches from 1978 are missing. Topics include politics, "State of the County" addresses, economy, agriculture, youth, finance, problems and challenges in government, civic and cultural events, justice, religion, health care, and the arts.

Volume: 1.25 cu ft

Randy Revelle was elected County Executive in 1981 and served through 1985.

021.003-434 Farmland Preservation Program files, 1984
Executive's report to County Council recommending county purchase of a second group of land parcels offered by their owners for farmland preservation. Information for most offered properties includes narrative description, assessment of current and future land usages, valuation, and a color photograph of the property and its surroundings. The properties, in the Sammamish and Green River valleys, on Vashon Island, and near Redmond, are not identified by address or legal description, but reference maps help establish locations.

Volume: 0.25 cu ft

Tim Hill served as County Executive from 1986 through 1993. Hill's tenure was marked by an ongoing effort to reorganize local government, which resulted eventually in the merger between King County and the Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle (METRO) to provide transportation and waste disposal services. This merger officially took place in 1994 after Hill had left office.

021.004-435 Management work papers, 1986 - 1993
Planning reports, work programs, memoranda, copies of clippings, and some Executive notes evaluating the progress of various projects, personnel, departments, and issues.

Volume: 2.25 cu ft

021.004-436 Project files, 1986 - 1993
Reports, memoranda, copies of clippings, relating to various projects involving the Departments of Adult Detention, Public Works, and Stadium Administration; studies on governmental reorganization; fiscal records, including a draft of the King County investment manual and material relating to two separate bond issues.

Volume: 1.5 cu ft