COVID-19 Update: New Financial Resources

Your Update on What's Happening at the King County Council  

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

As we all make every effort to follow the statewide “stay home, stay healthy” order, I’m happy to report some new resources to help King County taxpayers and essential workers.

Earlier this week, it was announced that individual King County property taxpayers will have until June 1 to make their first-half property tax payments. Additionally, today the King County Council unanimously voted to approve emergency funding that will provide childcare for first responders and other essential workers. I’ve included more details on both of these items below.

In this newsletter, you’ll also find the latest installment of my Project CARE video series that walks through small ways you can help our collective COVID-19 response through home projects, donations, and engagement with your community. I hope you find all these videos helpful, engaging, and a bright spot in your day.

Please reach out if there’s anything I can do to help you as we navigate the coming weeks. I will continue to work to provide more assistance to King County residents as we face this challenge together.

Sincerely,

Reagan Dunn  Vice Chair King County Council

Property Tax Deadline Pushed to June 1

Individual King County property taxpayers will have until June 1 to make their first-half property tax payments. This extension only applies to individual residential and commercial taxpayers who pay property taxes themselves. Banks and other financial institutions that pay property taxes on behalf of their customers must still meet the April 30 deadline.

I and my colleagues on the King County Council have been pushing for a property tax delay during this time of increased financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and I’m glad that Executive Constantine has taken this step to provide relief. If you have any questions about your property tax bill or payment options, don’t hesitate to contact the King County Treasury at propertytax.customerservice@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-2890.

How You Can Help: Donate Blood!

Did you know our region is currently experiencing a severe shortage of blood? During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients continue to count on lifesaving blood.

If you’re healthy, please schedule an appointment with the Red Cross or Bloodworks Northwest to donate blood! Blood drives are safe, controlled events with trained staff who are taking special care to comply with social distancing measures to protect donors.

King County Council Votes to Approve Emergency Childcare Measure

Today, my colleagues and I voted unanimously to appropriate $2.2 million of unspent Puget Sound Accountability funding to provide emergency child care for first responders and other essential workers. With this funding, child care will be provided at little or no cost to eligible families.

This funding provides critical help to essential workers with childcare needs, so they can continue to serve their community in the midst of this outbreak. I’m glad to be able to help ease the pressures on working parents as well as essential businesses that work tirelessly to keep our region functioning smoothly.

DOD Setting Up a Field Hospital at CenturyLink Field’s Event Center

The Department of Defense is supplying a field hospital, located at Century Link Event Center in Seattle. FEMA reported that the total bed capacity will start at 148, with the ability to increase to 250 beds, as well as 366 trained medical personnel. Initial operations are scheduled to begin this week, and the hospital is expected to be fully operational by April 7.