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Local Services
In February, King County's Community Investment Budget Committee hosted several information session/idea collection events. Members of five urban communities* in unincorporated King County came together to learn about participatory budgeting and tell King County how it should spend funds in their communities.
The deadline for submitting ideas has been extended through March 11. Learn more and weigh in at https://www.publicinput.com/yourvoiceyourchoice.
*East Federal Way, East Renton Plateau, Fairwood, North Highline/White Center, and Skyway-West Hill
Read this Feb. 10 news release to learn more.
Photos: Top: a screen shot from an information session/idea collection event at the Khemarak Pothiram Temple, which had Khmer interpretation and more than 80 participants. Bottom: Michelle Lang-Raymond from Acts on Stage asks about submitting an idea at a technical information session.
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Weigh in on North Highline Urban Design Standards
King County Local Services is asking for public input on its draft North Highline Urban Design Standards by March 28. Learn more and provide input at https://publicinput.com/NorthHighlineDesign.
The standards will guide new commercial, multi-family, and mixed-use developments in the North Highline area, which includes White Center, Top Hat, Glendale, and the South Park “Sliver by the River.”
Like many neighborhoods in the region, North Highline is experiencing development pressure, and the community has expressed a strong desire to have design standards in place that protect and enhance the community’s character.
Meaningful public input is key to this project’s success. It will help county planners be sure that the recommended standards reflect the community’s values. Local Services plans to transmit the final recommendation to the King County Council on June 30.
Questions? Email Jesse Reynolds
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Join King County Local Services for “Local Lunch” on Fridays
King County Local Services is here to help connect people in unincorporated communities with King County government services.
Join us (almost) every Friday during the noon hour to share questions or comments, ask for help, or just to chat. See our home page for information on how to join. You can also send us questions, comments, or requests by email or call us at 206‑477‑3800.
Road Services
Fixing a slide
King County Road Services crews scrape off the top of 68th Avenue S in Skyway last month to repair slide damage to the roadbed underneath.
Call Road Services for help with road maintenance and traffic safety issues in unincorporated King County—24 hours a day: 206‑477‑8100 or toll-free at 1‑800‑KC‑ROADS, or send email.
You can also visit the King County Road Services website or follow Road Services on
Twitter @kcroads.
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Executive Services
Property tax details available online; statements are in the mail
Property owners in King County can go online to view their 2022 property tax details at kingcounty.gov/PropertyTax. Property owners can also pay their taxes online, look up their property information, or sign up for email or text reminders.
Hard copies of property tax statements, which are typically mailed in mid-February, will be a little later than normal this year. Taxpayers can expect to receive their property tax statements by March 15. Only those who pay their property taxes themselves, rather than through a mortgage lender, receive paper statements. A paper statement is not required to pay property taxes.
Taxpayers have a couple of extra days to pay the first half of their property taxes this year, since the due date for the first half falls on a Saturday. Payments will not be due until Monday, May 2. They can be made online, by mail, or via drop box (see kingcounty.gov/PropertyTax for details).
Customer service representatives are also available to assist on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Contact King County Treasury Operations at 206‑263‑2890 or email propertytax.customerservice@kingcounty.gov.
For information on tax exemption and deferral programs for seniors or persons with disabilities or other qualifying conditions, reach out to the King County Assessor's Office at TaxRelief.kingcounty.gov, send email to exemptions.assessments@kingcounty.gov, or call 206‑296‑3920.
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Sign up for emergency alerts
On March 22, King County Office of Emergency Management will be conducting its semi-annual test of the ALERT King County regional public information and notification service. The alerts will go to those who have opted in to receive these emergency alerts, and will include a quick three-question survey on emergency preparedness. Emergency Management uses these tests to make sure they’re reaching those who have signed up and to remind them to update their contact information. People can add their work and home addresses to be notified of emergencies in those areas. For more information and to sign up or update your ALERT King County account, go to www.kingcounty.gov/alert.
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King County International Airport seeks summer interns
King County is looking for high school or college students who might be interested in an internship at King County International Airport/Boeing Field. Applications are due March 27 for the airport’s annual internship program.
This year, positions include:
• High school level computer-aided design (CAD) designer intern
• Associate/undergraduate level finance/accounting intern
• Associate/undergraduate level airport operations intern
• Associate/undergraduate level engineering intern
• Graduate level engineering intern
• Graduate level public administration/planning intern
You can find details about the positions now and submit applications starting March 7.
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Natural Resources and Parks
Join King County’s ‘Stream Team’—environmental scientists who hunt for bugs to monitor the health of local watersheds
King County is tracking the health of local watersheds by deploying a small, elite team of young environmental scientists who capture and study bugs in local streams.
Each summer, the paid Environmental Aides put on boots and waders to bushwhack their way to 200 streams throughout the county. They collect samples as part of an ongoing research project to track trends on water and habitat health.
By collecting and categorizing aquatic insects, and studying the environment in and around the streams, the team provides valuable long-term data to inform King County about the impacts of development on local water quality and whether restoration efforts are working.
Recruiting for the 2022 Stream Team roster begins in mid-March. Learn more
Help King County Parks distribute $4M for youth sports and recreation programs
King County Parks is partnering with the King County Play Equity Coalition to distribute about $4M in federal relief funding to organizations that provide physical activity opportunities to youths who are most impacted by racism and the pandemic.
Parks is seeking at least 50 reviewers to evaluate applications. Reviewer scores will support decision-making to recommend organizations for funding in compliance with federal guidelines.
Reviewers will...
• Read and score about 15 applications on a web-based platform over four weeks, tentatively in April-May.
• Complete a conflict-of-interest disclosure and recuse where a conflict exists with grant applicants or project proposals.
• Participate in a required training to learn about the program and scoring. No prior experience is necessary.
• Receive a stipend of $750 upon completion of scoring assigned applications.
• Commit to spending about 10 hours across four weeks reviewing applications.
Interested? Fill out and submit the Reviewer Interest Form by March 18. Parks wants to ensure diverse representation in community reviewers by seeking applicants who...
• Are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color
• Represent communities most impacted by the pandemic, racism, and systemic inequities
• Have experience in youth development, including expanded learning, out-of-school time, sports/recreation, education, juvenile justice, and/or public health
• Have experience in community-based organizations
• Live in South King County and unincorporated areas of King County
King County will choose reviewers in partnership with the Play Equity Coalition, based on alignment with the priorities listed above. Chosen reviewers will receive additional details about the timeline and meeting dates. This opportunity to serve as a reviewer is open to all.
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Community and Human Services
New funding opportunity: $5 million to support equitable, community-driven affordable housing in the Skyway/West Hill neighborhood
King County's Department of Community and Human Services has announced a new funding opportunity for community-driven affordable housing projects in the Skyway-West Hill neighborhood. The Skyway $5 million Fund for Affordable Housing Requests for Proposals is the result of years of community organizing. Skyway advocates worked with King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay to successfully secure $5 million in King County’s 2021-22 Biennial Budget in the Housing and Community Development Fund.
King County and Skyway/West Hill residents, including a community advisory committee, worked together over several months to co-develop this request for proposals. The primary objectives are...
- Invest in new affordable housing in Skyway/West Hill for residents vulnerable to displacement and community members who have been displaced.
- Align new affordable housing investments with recommendations in the Skyway-West Hill and North Highline Anti-displacement Strategies Report.
- Invest in equitable and community-driven development projects that build wealth and financial stability in historically underserved communities.
- Provide seed funding to community-driven, affordable housing projects in the early stages of development and support community-based organizations doing activities related to predevelopment and acquisition and/or construction.
Proposals can be submitted online via ZoomGrants or by email at DCHSContracts@
kingcounty.gov. Proposals are due by 1 p.m. on Monday, March 28.
Learn more on this Cultivating Connections blog post.
4Culture
Project Grants are back! Applications accepted through April 20
4Culture wants to support your creative work! Now offering grants to fund your projects in arts, heritage, and preservation. Visit 4culture.org/project-grants to apply. Contact hello@4Culture.org to request English language support.
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Rural Area news
2024 King County Comprehensive Plan Update–scoping items
On Feb. 13, a joint team of eight Rural Area unincorporated area councils, associations, and organizations submitted 11 scoping items for the 2024 King County Comprehensive Planning 8-Year Major Update. Some items included were event centers, agricultural production district mitigation, non-resource industrial uses, property-specific development standards, surface water management, and cumulative mining impacts. Scoping is the first stage of the overall (around two- and-a-half-year) process of updating the Comprehensive Plan.
—Submitted by Peter Rimbos, Corresponding Secretary
NOTE: Although many public meetings have been canceled, here's a list of community councils and associations that serve King County's unincorporated Community Service Areas, including their usual (or most recent) meeting sites and contact information where applicable.
:: Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
12819 160th Avenue SE, Renton
See blog for the latest information and to confirm meetings.
:: Enumclaw Plateau Community Association
Tuesday, March 15 – virtual meeting via Zoom (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
Monthly meetings are open to the public, and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. For more information email Nancy Merrill.
:: Fall City Community Association
First Tuesdays – Virtual meeting (7-8:30 p.m.)
The Fall City Community Association promotes building of community, proactively communicates on local issues, and takes action on selected issues that affect the Fall City community. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month, and are open to the public. For more information, visit fallcity.org or email send email.
:: Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council
Second Tuesdays – Virtual meeting via Zoom
Visit the website for the latest information and to confirm meeting dates and locations.
:: Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council
Monday, March. 7, virtual meeting via Zoom (7-9:30 p.m.)
Visit the website for the latest information and to confirm meetings. An agenda, including a list of any invited guest speakers as well as Zoom link information, will be posted several days before the meeting.
:: Green Valley/Lake Holm Association
The Green Valley/Lake Holm Association advocates for those who live in unincorporated southeast King County. Primary goals are to maintain the community’s unique historic, agricultural, and rural character; protect the environment; and sustain quality of life in the area. We engage regularly with local government agencies to address concerns and influence policies on topics of mutual interest, such as growth and development, transportation, public safety, and flood control. Stay connected by visiting their Facebook page.
:: Skywest Tool Library
Skyway Water and Sewer office
6723 S 124th Street, Seattle
Join the SkyWest Tool Library Monthly Meeting to learn more about helping to start a new tool library in Skyway. The purpose of the library will be to share ideas, teach, learn, and borrow tools and more. Contact the library on Facebook.
:: North Highline Unincorporated Area Council
Thursday, March 3 – virtual meeting via Zoom (7-9 p.m.)
Monthly board meetings are open to the public and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from local organizations. For more information, email Liz Giba.
:: Upper Bear Creek Community Council
Visit the website or Facebook page for the latest information.
:: Vashon Chamber of Commerce
Contact: discover@vashonchamber.com.
:: Vashon-Maury Island Community Council
Monday, March 21 – Virtual meeting via Zoom (7-9 p.m.)
Monthly board meetings are open to the public, and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. For more information visit vmicc.net or email David Vogel.
:: West Hill Community Association
Board Meeting:
Wednesday March 9 – virtual meeting via Zoom (7-9 p.m.)
Monthly meetings are open to the public, and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. For more information, visit the website or email contact@mywesthill.org.
I noted this morning that my roses are starting to bud, a sign that spring is on the way. Like roses, our Community Service Area Town Hall meetings are harbingers of spring. In March we will host 11 virtual meetings across unincorporated King County. This year's events will focus on gaining insight into each community's priorities for the next biennial county budget.
The meetings, hosted by each area's King County councilmember, will offer opportunities for residents of unincorporated King County to tell us what's most important for their community service areas. Local Services has been polling community members to get a sense of their priorities via this community outreach survey, which is still open for input. The survey findings will inform our conversations with community members about their priorities. What we learn from these meetings will help King County agencies prioritize their lists of community needs for the next budget cycle.
You can find the town hall schedule and information on how to join via Zoom on our Community Service Areas website. I encourage you to take advantage of this great opportunity to provide input to the county on how funds should be spent in your community. I look forward to seeing you there.
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Director’s Corner is a column from John Taylor, the director of King County Local Services. To contact John, email AskLocalServices@kingcounty.gov or call 206-477-3800 (Relay 711; language interpreters available).
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