Record Group 405
POLICY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

The Policy Development Commission (established under the King County Council in November 1974 by county ordinance 2208) continued and expanded the work of the previous Environmental Development Commission (1969-1974). In addition to overseeing the county's community planning efforts, the Policy Development Commission also made formal recommendations to the County Executive and Council on policy matters relating to land use, transportation, utilities, public facilities, recreation, housing and community development, conservation, human services and capital improvements. Consisting of over one hundred members appointed by the Council and Executive, the Commission represented both county officials and the general public. It carried out its work largely through seven standing committees and various ad hoc committees created to address specific issues. In 1978 the standing committees were eliminated in favor of ad hoc committees drawn from the one hundred appointed members. A board of directors also was established. The Council transferred oversight of the Commission to the County Executive in 1980. The Planning Division of the Department of Planning and Community Development assumed the budget and physical location of the Commission. A staff administrator coordinated the work of the ad hoc task forces convened around specific issues. In 1982, the Policy Development Commission was repealed. Responsibility for coordinating citizen involvement in the development of county policy was decentralized to the county's departments under general oversight of the Executive.

Volume: 0.7 cu ft

405-290 Issue files, 1970 - 1982 (927KB, PDF)
Correspondence, studies, reports, and other material related to the work of the Policy Development Commission and its committees.

Volume: 7.3 cu ft