Department of Local Services
Approved to begin operations on January 1, 2019
The King County Council on Sept. 17 approved Executive Dow Constantine’s proposal to create a new department that responds to local needs and improves service delivery in the unincorporated parts of King County. The new cabinet-level department will be led by Director John Taylor and will begin operations on Jan. 1.
Take our survey
The Local Services transition team is gathering input from the residents we’ll be serving. If you live in an unincorporated part of King County, please use the button below to take our survey. Your thoughts and priorities will help guide the new department.
Take the survey
Open through Dec. 31, 2018
Creation
The new department represents a comprehensive effort to improve the efficient, effective, and timely delivery of municipal services to the nearly 250,000 people who live in unincorporated parts of King County. In consultation and partnership with the King County Council, whose members directly represent residents in these areas, we will create a best-run local government to accompany the Executive’s best-run regional government.
Collaboration
King County plans to align its agencies that serve unincorporated areas by collaborating, sharing resources, and creating service partnerships that reinforce mutual accountability.
Customer-driven
King County agencies and employees work every day to improve the lives of the people we serve. That means consistently monitoring and evaluating our performance to make sure we deliver value to our customers. By focusing on our customers’ experience, and integrating continuous improvement methods into our work, our employees will remove roadblocks and achieve results that make a difference.
Connection
Unincorporated area residents deserve one dedicated executive-branch partner who listens, collaborates, and works to advance their interests. We’re working to make sure there’s always a place at the table for more voices to help inform how we deliver critical services.
We are committed to problem solving and taking concrete actions to keep our communities connected and running strong. The Department of Local Services will be a conduit for enhanced communication between community members in the unincorporated areas and King County agencies that provide local services.
Town hall Q&A’s New
King County held a series of town hall meetings in unincorporated areas in May-June 2018. Below are answers to questions residents asked at those meetings.
Share your thoughts
Send us an email
Download an info sheet (233 KB)